The Strangely Beautiful Tale Of Miss Percy Parker Read Online Free PDF Page B

off, returning to their various points of origin. Wiped from their memories was the incident; it was as if nothing odd had occurred at all. England’s populace at large was not involved with TheGrand Work. Neither were the denizens of London to know about it.
    The raven returned to Rebecca’s shoulder, biting her ear fondly. He pecked at her shoulder rhythmically, and she passed along his information:
    “Frederic reports one priest, two parents and a little girl—inhabitant volatile.”
    Alexi nodded. “‘Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more.’”
    The company stepped to the landing. Alexi summoned Michael forward with a command: “Come, the gentle heart opens many doors.”
    The vicar stepped ahead, placed bent fingers in front of his chest, and the locked front door swung open with a strange metallic sound. The Guard swept inward, and the six tore up the stairs to the flat on the second floor, where Michael’s fingers rose again and the flat’s door swung open with the same odd noise. Passing through the parlor and dining room toward an unnatural light spilling from the bedroom, Alexi flung the unlocked door wide.
    Inside was an eight-year-old girl who lay rigid upon her bed, her skin glowing.
    “Luminous!” Alexi declared her state as a matter of protocol—of course all could see that the girl was possessed. Planting his imposing presence at the foot of her bed, he looked at the parents, then at the priest, and smiled broadly. “Good evening! It would appear you have an intruder!”
    Before the horrified parents or the priest, midscripture, could react to this additional invasion, Elijah fixed them each with an intent stare. The three relaxed at once, and their gazes misted contentedly over. Elijah patted each on the head, satisfied with their submission.
    Michael placed a hand on the priest’s shoulder and indicated his own Anglican vestments. “Bless you, Father—and not to worry,” he added to the fellow clergyman who wouldremember nothing. “You’re doing a lovely job. We’re just helping.” He always felt the need to explain himself.
    Alexi, his expression fierce, tossed off his black greatcoat and suit jacket and began rolling up his charcoal-coloured shirtsleeves. He lifted his hands, conjuring the usual inexplicable blue flame before him. As he turned his palms outward, more fire issued forth, and he began to weave the hovering wisps into a graceful dance. A circle of flickering blue now framed the little girl’s body, but a sick grey light pulsed like a heartbeat within, illuminating her skeleton and shuddering organs.
    Rebecca and Michael took positions across the room, while the other three continued various stages of their chores. Josephine ripped paper away from a shimmering painting, and she hung the dynamic portrait of a winged, airborne angel in the center of the wall.
    “Name of victim?” Rebecca asked with crisp efficiency, taking notes on a small pad.
    Elijah bent over the girl and pressed his hand to hers. He gasped, pictures searing his mind with their psychometric power. “Emily. A quiet child. Inhabitant came upon her during evening prayers. Inhabitant is angry and dangerous—responsible for a death half a century ago. It won’t show me how.”
    Rebecca nodded. “That shall suffice, Elijah. Thank you for your talents.”
    “It’s cruel. But it isn’t that Ripper,” Elijah went on, shuddering, wiping away the sweat that had burst forth upon his brow.
    “Damn,” Alexi muttered.
    Remaining unobtrusive, Michael moved to Elijah’s side and gave his friend a serene smile. He gently pressed Elijah’s hands in his, calming him with the effects of his enormous heart. Indeed, an endlessly kind soul could achieve almost anything.
    “Thank you, Vicar,” Elijah breathed, and returned to maintain control over the girl’s family and priest.
    “Emily,” whispered Josephine, standing at the foot of the girl’s bed. The child’s eyes, squeezed shut in great