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on a path to discover
these powers and put them to great use.' The Leader was passing
behind Bezejel now and he stopped still for a moment, sending her
fear levels soaring again.
    'She could be one of the greats,'
he went on, looking again at the globe spinning in his hand. 'She
could lead Earth's nations into corruption and infighting to last a
thousand years. The bounty of souls she can bring to Inferno is
incalculable. But she needs careful management and she needs to be
protected from the other side. They know we are interested in her
and they will try to stop us, understand?'
    'Yes, my Leader.'
    'I am giving you Captain Kodrob
and his squad. Kodrob is smart and his team are competent. You may
need to involve others as you go, such as Hideki, but I will leave
that to you. You are the team Commander.'
    'Yes, my Leader.'
    'Now go and research the woman and your
mission in detail.'
    'Yes, my Leader.'
    'Do not fail, Bezejel, or you will find
out the hard way that Hell hath no fury like mine.' The eyes
stabbed her again. A pain like the burn of a lightning bolt ran
from the base of her spine up into her head and stunned her with a
bright red flash in her eyes.
    Bezejel bowed again and ran for the door
on jelly legs.
     
     
    Ealing Travel,
London
     
    ‘ Nance, I’ve got a
chap called Martin on the phone for ya,' announced Mel loudly,
looking around the office at the other agents. Then she pressed her
hand down on the receiver as she whispered, ‘Is that the three
blokes who came in yesterday? The cute ones?’
    'Oh, were they cute? I didn't really
notice,' replied Nancy innocently.
    'Yeeeah,' said Mel with a
mischievous grin. She started to hand over the phone and then
suddenly pulled it back. ‘So, which one did you like
best?’
    ‘ They were just boys,
not men. Not my type at all.’ answered Nancy with a shrug of her
shoulders. She pointed to the phone.
    ‘ Just handing you over,’ called Mel gaily into the
receiver as she passed over the phone and handset across the
aisle.
    Nancy took the
receiver.
    ‘ Hello, Nancy here,
how can I help?’
    ‘ Nancy it’s Martin
from yesterday. I came in with Pete and Andy. About the Israel
trip?’
    ‘ Yes Martin, I
recognise your voice.' Brawny. 'Do you want to go ahead and confirm
the Israel booking?’
    ‘ Nancy, I can’t. I’m
afraid we’re going to have to call the whole trip off. Andy's
cousin Dan was going to come with us to make up the numbers. He's
not an archaeologist, you see. But he's renewed his contract with
his employer and won't be available. Without him the three of us
can’t afford to go ahead with the trip. And we can’t find anyone
else to fill the gap at such short notice. I’m really sorry to have
wasted your time.’
    Nancy looked down at the booking
form where she had listed flights, hotels, taxis, buses and all
arrival and departure times. She cradled the phone in her neck and
began to slowly screw up the form.
    ‘ Don’t worry Martin,
it can’t be helped. Best laid plans of mice and men,
eh?’
    ‘ Yeah, too right,’
said Martin who sounded genuinely depressed.
    Nancy put down the phone and turned to
Mel who had been listening.
    ‘ Well, we won’t be
seeing them again Mel. But I’ll give you their phone numbers if you
want to get in touch,’ she laughed. 'You can put some toast on the
grill and start counting down to New Year.' They both
giggled.
    Nancy turned back to the papers on
her desk. ‘Just not fair,’ she said to herself in an undertone.
'Not fair.'
    Her own phone rang. She looked at
it as it rang a second time. It rang a
third time. 'Answer it, Nance,' called Mel, looking at her
quizzically.
    As it rang for the fourth time,
Nancy picked up the receiver. 'Ealing Holidays. How can I help
you?'
    'Hello Nancy.' Tinge of an Irish brogue. Female.
    'Oh.' Nancy looked round the
office, seeing who was watching. 'Aunt Mary.' She turned towards
the wall and bent her neck down low. 'I'm a bit busy right now,
Auntie. Can you call me