Read Lord John and the Hell-Fire Club for Free Online Page A

family had influence, though he himself possessed none. But how could his presence here be put to such use?
    It seemed he had spent forever in that buried room, pacing to and fro across the stone floor, until at last the door opened and a robed figure slipped through.
    "George!"
    "Bloody hell!" Ignoring Grey's turn toward him, Everett crossed the room and stood staring down at the girl, brows knit in consternation. "What's happened?" he demanded, swinging toward Grey.
    "You tell me. Or rather, let us leave this place, and then you tell me."
    Everett put out a quelling hand, urging silence. He thought for a moment, and then seemed to reach some conclusion. A slow smile grew across his face.
    "Well enough," he said softly, to himself. He turned and reached toward Grey's waist, pulling loose the cord that bound it closed. Grey made no move to cover himself, though filled with astonishment at the gesture, given the circumstances.
    This astonishment was intensified in the next instant, as Everett bent over the bed and wrapped the cord round the neck of the dead woman, tugging hard to draw it tight, so the rope bit deep into flesh. He stood, smiled at Grey, then crossed to the table, where he poured two glasses of wine from the flagon.
    "Here." He handed one to Grey. "Don't worry, it's not drugged. You aren't drugged now, are you? No, I see not; I thought you hadn't had enough."
    "Tell me what is happening." Grey took the glass, but made no move to drink. "Tell me, for God's sake!"
    George smiled again, a queer look in his eyes, and picked up the knife. It was exotic in appearance; something Oriental, at least a foot long and wickedly sharp.
    "It is the common initiation of the Brotherhood," he said. "The new candidate, once approved, is baptized -- it was pig's blood, by the way -- and then brought to this room, where a woman is provided for his pleasure. Once his lust is slaked, an older Brother comes to instruct him in the final rite of his acceptance -- and to witness it."
    Grey raised a sleeve and wiped cold sweat and pig's blood from his forehead.
    "And the nature of this final rite is --"
    "Sacrificial." George nodded acknowledgement toward the blade. "The act not only completes the initiation, but also insures the initiate's silence and his loyalty to the Brotherhood."
    A great coldness was creeping through Grey's limbs, making them stiff and heavy.
    "And you have... have done this?"
    "Yes." Everett contemplated the form on the bed for a moment, one finger gently stroking the blade. At last he shook his head and sighed, murmuring to himself once more. "No, I think not."
    He raised his eyes to Grey's, clear and shining in the lamplight. "I would have spared you, I think, were it not for Bob Gerald."
    The glass felt slick in Grey's hand, but he forced himself to speak calmly.
    "So you did know him. Was it you who killed him?"
    Everett nodded slowly, not taking his gaze from Grey's.
    "It is ironic, is it not?" he said softly. "I desired membership in this Brotherhood, whose watchword is vice, whose credo is wickedness -- and yet had Bob Gerald told them what I am, they would have turned upon me like wolves. They hold all abomination dear -- save one."
    "And Robert Gerald knew what you were? Yet he did not speak your name as he died."
    George shrugged, but his mouth twitched uneasily.
    "He was a pretty lad. I thought -- but I was wrong. No, he didn't know my name, but we met here -- at Medmenham. It would have made no difference, had they not chosen him to join us. Were he to come again, though, and see me here.
    "He would not come again. He refused the invitation."
    George's eyes narrowed, gauging his truth; then he shrugged.
    "Perhaps if I had known that, he need not have died. And if he had not died, you would not have been chosen yourself -- would not have come? No. Well, there's irony again for you, I supposed. And still -- I think I would have killed him under any circumstance; it was too dangerous."
    Grey had been keeping