Page 44 of No Man's Land

Helplessly, he sank into that embrace, his head dropping onto Alex’s broad shoulder as those strong arms tightened their hold on him.

“For God’s sake, Alex, get him inside,” said a crisp voice Josef recognised as belonging to Subadar Dutta. “Saint’s going to have your hide for this.”

Alex’s arms tightened again. His voice, when it came, sounded angry. “What else could I have done? Let it kill him?”

A speaking silence followed, and when Josef lifted his head from Alex’s shoulder, he saw that the two men were locked in silent communication.

And then there came a flurry of movement and people around them. Josef glimpsed a stretcher, a young man crouching next to the decapitated corpse, examining it with interest, before a billowing white sheet came up to cover everything and the shrill blast of a policeman’s whistle pierced the fog.

“Come on,” Alex said, steering Josef away. “Inside, quickly now.”

Instinct made Josef baulk at being dragged away, but when Alex looked at him, there was such an expression of concern, even fear, in his eyes that Josef startled. It was possibly the most honest expression he’d ever seen on the man’s face outside the bedroom.

“Please,” Alex said at last. “I’ll answer all your questions, but we must get inside now.”

Nodding, torn between curiosity and distrust, Josef let himself be helped up the stairs and into the discreet building that housed the Winconian Society.

It was like entering a beehive that had just been poked with a stick—when you were the offending stick.

The door opened onto a large entryway, a grand staircase sweeping up to an entresol overlooking the foyer, and myriad doors and hallways leading deeper into the building. Several knots of respectable-looking men had gathered in the hallways and doorways; others stood looking down from the landing at the top of the stairs. Everyone was silent, the hush so recent Josef could hear it falling as the door swung shut.

All eyes were on them.

Having recovered somewhat from the flight and the fight, Josef became acutely aware that Alex still had an arm around his waist and that his own arm was slung across Alex’s shoulders. He had a mad urge to take a bow, but instead returned the cool, curious glances with one of his own.

So, this was the Winconian Society. According to Alex, a secret order dedicated to fighting supernatural beings. More likely a shadowy branch of the Intelligence Corps.

“Lord Beaumont.” A man stepped forward with the dress and demeanour of a servant. He glanced briefly at Josef. “May I be of assistance?”

“Mr Shepel has been attacked by a ghoul,” Beaumont said, as if such nonsense was unremarkable. His voice, Josefnoticed, was pitched for the onlookers as well as the servant. “He barely escaped with his life. See that he can bathe and has clean clothes.”

“Of course, my lord.” The servant gave a slight bow. “I will see to it myself. Meanwhile, Mr Saint is waiting in the library.” A weighted pause. “At your earliest convenience.”

Josef felt Alex stiffen, the arm still around Josef’s waist tightening.

“I'll go to him directly.” To Josef, he said, “Go with Graves. Do exactly as he says.” Their eyes met and held, and again Josef saw that shadow of fear in the other man’s eyes. “You are safe here.”

Alarmingly, Josef wasn’t sure that Alex believed it.

“I’d rather stay with you,” he said.

Alex’s eyes widened, and then he smiled, a faint but true smile. “Would you?”

“Better the devil you know, and all that.”

Something passed between them, then, an unexpected sense of comradeship in a tight spot. “You’ll be all right with Graves,” Alex promised. “Trust me.”

There was a hint of a question at the end of those words, and Josef nodded. “All right,” he said. Not that he had much choice, but Alexhadjust saved his life. Again.

“Mr Shepel?” Graves gestured towards a corridor leading to the back of the building. “This way please.”

Alex dropped his arm from around Josef’s waist, and as they separated Josef swayed somewhat.

“All right?” Alex said, reaching out to steady him. “Do you need help?”

“No, I’m fine.” He braced his shoulders. “Or I will be, once I’m out of these disgusting clothes.”

With a nod, and a serious, lingering look, Alex turned and strode off in the opposite direction.

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