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Jake was alone when he reached home.  His
life had changed.  For years he had craved excitement and now he had just what
he wanted, in abundance.  To think that his own family held the key to worlds
unheard about was truly amazing.  He had always wondered where his imagination
and interest in the occult arose.  Neither of his late parents was particularly
imaginative but Dad had been hiding a secret.  It was a wonder that he had been
able to hide it so well.

Jake shook his head.  Thanks Dad.  If only
you’d told me.  Maybe our relationship could have been better.

He reached the front door and knew it.

Something was wrong.  Not again, please,
not again.

But the feeling was different.  This was
more like intuition than a dark manipulation of his mind.  It was impossible to
put his finger on it but there was no doubt at all.  Something had changed.

No, it was not like before.  There was no
hallucination to greet him but he was still faced with an uneasy suspicion that
he was to receive a nasty surprise and he prepared himself for whatever
unpleasant experience the next few moments would bring.

As he walked around the empty house Jake
could see nothing out of place.  Everything was the way it should be...and then
it hit him, it was so obvious.

The house...it was empty.  There was no
feeling of human warmth in the place whatever.  But, come on, he was being ridiculous. 
What did he expect?  He had been out all day.  So had Fiona.  Of course there
would be no sign of life.  So, why the alarm bells in his mind?

He looked at the answering machine.  The
light was flashing.  Somehow, he knew that it was there that he would find the
solution.  He listened to a familiar voice as it rushed through a nervous
message.

‘Jake.  It’s me, Fiona.  I don’t know
where you are.  No doubt you have some excuse.  In a way it’s easier you not
being there.  Look, I’ll call you later, but, you see, I’ve had enough.  I’m
sorry, I really am, but, it’s over.  We both know it...’

Her voice began to falter and Jake could
hear another whispering in the background.  A man’s voice he thought he
recognised.  Mitch, it had to be.  So the little bitch had moved in with him
after all.

‘I’m sorry Jake.  I’ll call you.’

There was the replacing of the receiver
and the piercing beep that seemed to drive through the fog of Jake’s mind.

But, it did not make sense.  Yes, if she
had walked out because the marriage had failed as she had claimed, he could
understand but not if Fiona was really part of Alex Lapski’s scheme to trap
him.  Surely she was needed here to keep an eye on him or something.  Maybe she
was just an innocent pawn after all and she was now in the hands of the enemy.

Bastards!

Maybe it was not too late.  Maybe he could
warn her.

Without really thinking about what he was
doing Jake dialled Fiona’s office.  An answer-phone.  Fuck.  In desperation he
telephoned the paper.  Maybe Mitch would still be there.

‘No, he left early,’ whined the
telephonist.

Who else could he call?  Who might Fiona
have told where she’d gone?  Her sister.  Of course, she would always tell
Diana what she was up to.

Jake tore at the address book and found
the number.

‘Hi, Diana.’

‘Jake, what is it?  You sound out of
breath.’

‘Listen.  Fiona, hasn’t called you?’

‘Why?  What’s happened?  She’s all right?’

‘No, no.  Don’t panic.  It’s nothing like
that.  It’s Fiona.  She’s left me.’

‘Oh, Jake.  I’m so, so sorry.  But no. 
She hasn’t called me.  Didn’t she give any clue?’

‘No, but I think she may have gone off
with someone else.’

‘What; Fiona?  You must be joking.’

‘No, I’m sure of it.’

‘Who?’

‘His name’s Mitch Mitchell.  He’s the
editor of a local paper.’

‘No, I’ve never heard of him.  What makes
you think that?’

‘It’s a long story.  Look.  If Fiona calls
you, let me know.  Please.  Tell me what you can find out.’

‘Of course, Jake.  I am so sorry.  You
know that, don’t you?’

‘I know.  Diana, thanks.  You’re a pal.’

He replaced the hand piece and headed into
the lounge.  Somehow, he felt better already, speaking with Diana, but he could
not get over the feeling of loss that pervaded him.  He poured himself a scotch
and sat down.  It was bad enough, Fiona going off with Mitch but, if he was
right, then Mitch was just using her in some game of cat and mouse with him. 
Bastard, bastard, bastard!

…………………………………………

Jake was roused from his reverie by the
telephone ringing.  It was Ben Tiferet.

‘I’ve seen Shmueli Isaacson but he would
not co-operate.  I may be wrong but I think they have got to him already.  I
will meet you at your home tomorrow and we’ll decide what to do.’

‘Yes, yes, fine.’

‘Jake, is there something wrong?’

Forlornly and though there was none to see
Jake shook his head.

‘It’s Fiona.  She’s left me for Mitchell. 
They’ve got her.  She doesn’t know what she’s into.’

‘She’ll be all right.  She’ll be safe.’

‘Safe, safe.  How can she be safe?  You
know what those bastards are capable of.’

‘No, but think.  If they were using her it
was to get at you.  They’ve no other interest in her.  She won’t be harmed.’

‘I don’t know.  I just wish I knew where
she was.’

‘I understand but I’m not ready for a
confrontation with Alex.  You must be patient.

‘Would you like some company this evening? 
I can come over if you wish.’

‘No, no thank you.’

‘All right.  I’ll come over tomorrow
morning and we’ll see what to do.  I hope you don’t have another dream. 
Somehow, I don’t think you’re ready for one tonight.’

That was true.  With all that had happened
another nightmare was the last thing on his mind.

‘But what can I do?’

‘If it happens.  All you can do is to go
with it.  You know it can’t harm you.  Just keep that in mind.’

True but not very comforting.

‘Are you certain that you do not want me to
stay overnight with you?  I might be able to help.’

But Jake declined the offer.  As much as
he would have welcomed the presence of another human being he knew that Tiferet
was not the one.  For a start, he did not like the man.  He was pompous,
arrogant and to tell the truth the very last person he would wish to see during
an emotional problem.  There was, however, someone he could call.

He keyed in the number.

Kevin Saint-George answered almost
immediately in his practised and slightly camp voice perfected for his radio
persona.  If there was one person who might be able to protect Jake from his
evil dreams it was Kev.  Kev was undoubtedly the only genuine psychic Jake
really knew, after all.

So, Jake was offered the use of the couch
on the basis that he brought his own bedding and he was soon driving over to
Kev’s flat near Belsize Park station.

He climbed the faded carpet-covered stairs
and reached the front door.  He rang the bell.

There was no response.

Jake placed his finger on the button and
continued to press it.  The sound of the bell seemed to be becoming louder and
then the door was opened.  It was not Kevin but an aged long-hair; looked like
a rock musician - probably was.  Presumably the latest lover, Rob, to whom he
had spoken on the phone yesterday.

‘Hey...’

Jake turned to the Bill Wyman lookalike. 
The guy appeared stoned.

‘Hi,’ he began, trying to be friendly
despite feeling that he was in the presence of a moron, ‘I’m Jake.  Kev’s
expecting me.’

‘He’s out, man.’

‘When did he go?’

‘What, you a cop?’

‘Do I look like a cop?  Come on.  He’s
putting me up tonight.’

‘Yeah?  Like Hell.  Now piss off and leave
me be, man,’ and the junkie reached out in an attempt to push Jake away.

There was nothing else for it.  Deftly,
Jake avoided the thrust and twisted the idiot’s arm behind him

‘Fucking hell...’

‘Listen, you spaced-out hippie.  Kevin
invited me over.  Didn’t he tell you?’

‘You’re hurting, man.’

‘Come on.  Come down to Earth a second,
will you?’

He twisted harder.

‘He said nothing, man...No...th...ing. 
Christ.’  (The squeal was somehow very satisfying) ‘But...’

‘What?’

‘He took a call half an hour ago.’

Jake relaxed his grip.

‘And…?’

‘Then he rushed out.  What d’you say your
name was?’

Jake released his grip entirely now that
it was clear that Rob had returned to the real world.  Where did Kev find these
dead-beats?  He supposed it went with his image.

‘Okay.  Sorry about the rough stuff. 
Look.  My name’s Jake Tranton.’

‘Okay, man.’

Then the aged rocker turned round.

‘Hey.  Did you say Jake Tranton?’

‘Yes.’

‘Kev said something about you coming over,
I think.’

‘Exactly.’

‘You’d better come in.  He’ll be back
soon.  Yeah, that’s right.  He was going to see someone.  Something about
voodoo.’

So that was it.  Kev was seeing if he
could help him.  Thank God for that.

Jake entered the flat and made himself
comfortable.  Rob disappeared into his room.  Unfortunately, he returned just
as quickly.

‘You want some stuff, man?’

‘No, no thanks.’

It seemed that Jake had no option.  He
would have to talk to the idiot.

‘So.  How long’ve you known Kev?’

‘Not long.  You an ex-or something?’

Jake laughed, ‘Sorry.  I’m not that way
inclined.’

Rob looked crestfallen.  God, don’t say
that he had envisioned their having sex together.  Even if he had been gay,
Jake would have had to be really desperate to want this drop-out.

Luckily his clumsy attempt at making
small-talk was short lived as Kevin soon returned from wherever he had been. 
He gave a characteristically hearty grin.

‘Jake, dear.  So
good
to see you
again.  Now let’s see what we can do to help you in your troubles.  You’ve met
Rob I see.  I hope that he’s been a
darling
and looked after you.

‘Now, show me this nasty ring of yours. 
Let’s see if it gives me any vibes.’

Jake tried his best not to laugh at Kev’s
affected manner.  They had known each other for years; long before Kev had
become a minor celebrity; and in those days Kevin spoke and behaved like
everyone else, whether straight or gay.  Still, his act was his career and he
was not likely to drop the facade for anyone.

As Jake attempted to remove the ring Kev
continued to prattle on.

‘You’ll never guess what.  I had a call
from my agent yesterday.  There’s talk that they’re doing a new TV show looking
at the world of psychics.  They're planning me for the guest list.  What d‘you
think?’

‘Sounds great.  Maybe you can get a job on
the lottery.  After all, you're someone who could really predict the winners?’

‘No,
darling
, impossible.  Any
sensations I have would be too vague.  That would be fun, though.  National
television, prime time, I’d become really famous.’

‘Well, wait and see.  Maybe your agent’s
got it wrong.

‘Anyway.  I can’t get the ring off.  It’s
stuck fast.’

‘Well,
darling
, in that case, you
had better give me your hand.  Let’s see what I can feel.’

Jake did as he had been asked and waited
as his friend stroked the stone with the tips of his fingers.  He closed his
eyes and began to rock gently back and forwards.

In a whisper he began to speak.

‘I feel power, great power.  Power that
transcends time and space.  I see a light.  It is the light of the absolute and
it is free.  Free.  Men have meddled with divine forces and have unleashed
another.  An entity that was not meant to be exists and desires to live.  The
light has chosen one to restore all to its former state.  You are the one.’

And with a suddenness that was unnerving,
Kevin opened his eyes and stared into Jake’s.  Simultaneously, as if he had
received an electric shock, he dropped Jake’s hand and began to breathe
heavily.

‘Hey, man,’ shouted Rob, ‘Kev, you okay?’

Kevin stood up slowly and backed away from
Jake.

‘Kevin.  What is it?’

‘Jake,’ he said, dropping all pretence of
campiness, ‘This is not a game.  This ring that you wear, it is a symbol of
power.  It can be used for good or ill.  I had a glimpse of something.  I don’t
know what it was but it was evil.  There was no hatred or darkness in the way
of Satan.  This was far worse.  This thing wishes to live and if it succeeds
then we will not.  It is as simple as that.  Our universe and this entity are
mutually exclusive.  If it is not destroyed then we will be.’

‘But, what is it?’

‘I don’t know nor do I know from where it
comes but I know what it wants and it needs you for that.  Your ring is only
part of it.  There are more of these stones.’

‘Yes, I know.’

‘You must obtain all the stones and use
them to destroy the Beast.  That is our only chance.’

‘But, why me?’

‘I do not know that, Jake.  All I know is
that you are the one, but the Beast wants those stones for itself.  You must
stop it.  Do not give in to its demands.’

‘But, what can I do?’

‘I do not know enough.  You must find
someone who understands about these stones.  He will be able to explain, I
think.  Tonight I will try and guard you in your sleep.  You must be preserved
for your quest.’

‘My quest?’

‘He with the knowledge will know.  Trust
him.’

Ben Tiferet.  It had to be.

Jake just sat there in silence as he tried
to digest what he had learnt.  It all fitted with what the Professor had told
him but he just could not believe that he was the one chosen to undo the evil
that had been loosed upon the world by his ancestor Jacob Cordozo.  What of
Shmueli Isaacson?  He was also in possession of one of the stones and, for that
matter, so were Cherry and Ben himself.  Did that make them key players or
what?