Lady Sativa by Frank Lauria Read Free Book Online Page B

sighed. “This has all been so shattering. I’ll speak to Mr. Neilson in the morning. And do stop fussing over that gear and get some sleep yourself.”
    Orient was still thinking about Lily after he’d arranged his things and gone to bed. As he lay in the darkness, he heard the wind rattle the window and saw the shadows cast by the moonlight move across the glass. He remembered the golden perfection of Lily’s skin, the bronze hair spilling over her rounded breasts. It had been a long time since nearness to a woman had brought such an exhilarating attraction. He felt drawn to her as if she was an old friend—a dim, lovely recollection from a forgotten reality.
    ‘.The memory of Germaine’s face intruded On his thoughts. He hadn’t forgotten where he’d seen the count before tonight. As Orient recalled the looming image of his meditative trance, he noted that the surprise that scattered his thoughts when he first saw Germaine had been replaced by a sense of wariness.
    In spite of his affable, courtly manner he remained unconvinced of Germaine’s sincerity. Orient got the impression that he was being carefully sized up by the count. The fencer testing an adversary. Orient yawned. It was absurd. He’d only seen the man once before. He speculated if the vision in his meditation was significant or just a phenomenon of concentration, like a radio picking up vagrant signals from another band. He fell asleep wondering if Lily and Maxwell were old friends from London.
    In his dreams that night, he was running across the sand. He knew his pursuer was just behind him in the shadows... he saw a huge rock, stopped, and crouched down next to it. He strained to see, but there was nothing but blackness behind him... then a sudden noise nearby startled him and he began running as fast as he could... running... running... running—desperately from the pounding footsteps behind him.
     
     

 
     
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    The lemony sunlight dispelled the gloomy residue of Orient’s fitful sleep.
    He limbered up his travel-knotted muscles on the carpet in front of the bed and began the basic breathing patterns. As his body relaxed, his concentration sifted out the dregs of jet lag and doubt from his thoughts.
    After a brief meditation, he went inside for a hot shower, finished off with a driving cold spray that left his reflexes tingling. As he began to dress he felt completely refreshed. He checked his watch and saw that it was almost noon.
    He decided that a blue cashmere turtleneck and heavy twill trousers would be best against the chill. He found a rolled-up pair of glove skin boots inside the sweater. He gratefully zipped up the lined boots over his trousers. They would keep his feet much warmer than the loafers he’d worn last night.
    When Orient reached the bottom of the stairs, he saw Sybelle standing near a large doorway. She pulled nervously at the black silk scarf around her neck and whispered something to Germaine.
    The tall man was bent attentively over her. The intent press of his lips became a smile as he looked up and saw Orient approaching. “Good morning, doctor. Did you sleep well?” he asked, his voice melodious and calm.
    “Everything is very comfortable.” He looked down at Sybelle: “How’s the reception today?”
    “Marvelous darling. But I’m so concerned about the séance this evening. I do hope we can make contact.”
    “If it’s meant to be, we will,” Orient offered with little enthusiasm. Years ago, high on the mountain, Ku had initiated him as. an adept of the Serene Knowledge. Sometime later, while in North Africa he had been advanced to the second level. But occult science was part of the Serene Knowledge he accepted cautiously. The raw power was far in advance of the present capabilities of ordinary human control.
    Germaine caught Orient’s reluctant tone. “Surely, you will assist us this evening.” He smiled. “You don’t disapprove of trying to contact the souls of the dead, I