Read Online Blackbone by George Simpson, Neal Burger - Free Book Online Page B

is an event added on top of others. First we must accept that Moulin translated the tablets accurately, and that what you were reciting really was a spell to bring water, and that the moon was not in confluence with Jupiter, and there was no coincidental earthquake and so on. Otherwise, you are relating an isolated, though admittedly unusual event.”
    Loring shook her head. “You’re picking me apart.”
    Yazir threw up his hands and flashed a smile. “My dear, you have not come to me to have your story tested. You obviously believe it and will continue to do so until something happens to prove you wrong. What do you really think about this demon, this djinn?”
    Loring thought carefully. “It could be the original genie in the bottle. I believe this story became part of the folklore that comes down to us in a watered-down form as the tale of Aladdin and his magic lamp. You know as well as I do that the djinn are as real to the Islamics as Satan is to the Christians.”
    “Some believe, some do not,” said Yazir.
    “Do you?”
    Yazir laughed. “There are moments when I am as superstitious as the most ignorant Bedouin, but not often.”
    “Imagine what you would feel if all this had happened to you.”
    Yazir shifted uncomfortably. His stomach roiled again.
    “The shape of that flask was not randomly chosen. It was crafted for its magical properties. The pentagon is the base form of the pentangle, a geometric design of great occult power. It is most often applied as a restraint against dark forces—”
    “I seem to recall those words.”
    Loring grinned. “One of your lectures—ten years ago.”
    “How flattering.”
    “The chamber where we found the artifacts had five walls. A pentagon.” Loring leaned forward. Her eyes shone with fevered certainty. “The entire city of Ur-Tawaq was laid out inside a pentagon—five walls of equal length, height, and thickness surrounding the inhabitants. It was a common architectural form in those days and was supposed to help ward off evil spirits.”
    Yazir’s brow knitted. “Or keep them in,” he said. “This man who was rescued from your crate... did he have the flask with him? No—right. As you said, he had nothing. And you are concerned about where it is, yes?”
    “Very.”
    “You’re afraid he may have opened it and set loose the demon, yes?”
    “Yes.”
    “Or he might simply have dropped it into the sea.”
    “I have to find that out.” She explained to him about Kirst being sent to Blackbone Detention Camp in Montana, about her plans to go there—
    “I wouldn’t advise that. If there really is a demon such as you have described, then you are hardly equipped to deal with it.”
    “But people have to be warned—”  
    “By you?” Yazir laughed. “Please, between us I am the Middle Eastern folklore expert—though I must admit you have exceeded me in this area—but I would not risk my professional standing by publicly claiming that a twenty-five-hundred-year-old demon is loose in Montana. No one would believe me. And as for you... this German might be headed for a prison camp, but where would they send you?”
    Tears formed in Loring’s eyes. She pleaded with Yazir. “If it’s loose and it’s traveling with Kirst, God only knows what it can do. I need help.”
    “From me?”
    “Yes. You do know the folklore better than I do. You know how to research the deterrents—ways to deal with this thing—weapons, spells, incantations—I don’t care how wild! I need whatever you can come up with—and fast! Don’t you see? I brought that thing out of the ground. Whatever happens now is on my conscience! I have to do something!”
    She stopped and stared at Yazir desperately.
    Yazir sighed. “Remember what they say in Islam....” He laid a hand on her cheek. “Kutibat. It is written.” His hand dropped away. “The fate of those who come in contact with the djinn is already history.”
     
     

 
    Chapter 6
     
     
    One hour west of