"Did you agree to it? Was it voluntary?" Angleton asked abruptly.
Violano gave him a quick, haunted look before turning his focus back to the road. "If you mean this assignment, it's my job."
"That isn't what I mean. Your masters have taken control of you. How long has this been going on?"
"That really isn't any of your business, Dr. Angleton."
"You can speak freely, for the moment. You won't tell me anything I don't already know; it's obvious that the OPA has a new control system in place for its operatives. And my directors may already be aware of it, given that there is an agreement in force between our countries."
Violano, expressionless, kept his gaze fixed on the road. "I was enrolled about eight months ago. I was told it was a trial program. They were trying to decrease the risk of Communist infiltration… and they had a point. There had been incidents. I knew if I turned them down it would be a black mark on my record. So I agreed."
"You're an experienced operative. It can't be helpful to your performance in the field to have them constantly interfering with your decisions."
"It isn't really that bad. Most of the time they leave me alone. Anything that skates close to national security, though, they clamp down on that real fast. I think my working with Brits is making them nervous."
"Hmm." There was silence in the car for a few moments; the campus was only a few blocks away when Angleton added, "I'd be careful about giving them any more control over you. The more power they have, the more they will want."
"I won't say you're wrong." Violano pulled over and Angleton slipped quickly out of the car. "See you at the heiau."
Esther kept up a flow of vapid chatter as they drove, commenting on the sunset, her impression of the college campus, the souvenirs she had bought… in fact anything she could think of to lull the other woman into believing she was an airheaded tourist. The fixed smile on Kala's face told her it was working.
"Oh, a full moon! It's just lovely. You can see the stars so much better here without all the street lights."
"Yes, we try to have our meetings when the moon is full. It's traditional." Kala made this comment absently as she pulled off the road and came to a stop in front of the gate leading to the heiau. A few other cars were parked by the side of the road, but Esther was relieved to see that Violano's was not among them. The gate was unguarded, and though Esther was listening for the guard dog she heard no barking; Kala showed no hesitation as she walked to the gate and opened it. Clearly she was not expecting to be stopped. As she drove through she asked casually, "Would you mind shutting the gate behind us?"
"I'd be happy to." Esther turned from closing the gate and found herself confronted by two men. Michael Glass, the owner, was nowhere to be seen. Clearly the cult had taken control of the area. Swiftly calculating her options, Esther decided to appear unaware of any threat. "Are you here for the meeting?" she asked, smiling. "I'm with Miss Chen."
Kala leaned out the car window and called, "Yes, she's with me. Take her to the gathering place. She can stay with my cousin."
Well, here we go. Waving happily to Kala, Esther walked on with her escorts while continuing to assess her surroundings. Twilight was falling fast and the trees on either side of the path blocked the moonlight, casting additional darkness around them. She could see the flicker of firelight up ahead. Seeing a convenient rock in the path, she stumbled over it and fell to her hands and knees, grabbed two handfuls of dirt and threw them into the eyes of her guards. Ducking off the path into the undergrowth, she ran toward the firelight ahead while murmuring a chant to blur their vision further.
Angleton was carrying a few basic wards which he was sure Stager could disable. His safety concerned him much less than his ability to restrain his hunger. Eating my fellow agents would be bad form, he thought dryly. Stager's brusque greeting did nothing to help his self-control, but Angleton managed to hide his irritation as they headed to the car.
"Hurry now. I don't want you to miss anything. I think you'll be impressed with what we have managed to achieve."
"How many practitioners…" Angleton began tentatively.
"I'm the only real one. Though I have an acolyte, a fellow teacher from the university. She's coming along nicely. Other than her, the rest are sheep." Stager's tone radiated contempt. "They're too focused on their petty political concerns to see the big picture."
Well that should make things simpler, mused the Eater of Souls. The other man's voice broke in on his thoughts: "Yes, it's all been going rather well. Nothing like the interference I had to deal with in Honolulu. I have made more progress here than I ever expected."
"And you are sure that you can control whatever you hope to bring through?"
"I am certain of it." Stager's tone did not admit for any doubt. A moment later he pulled off the road, frowning in annoyance. "We were supposed to have guards at the gate. Well, never mind, I'll take care of it."
"There was a dog here, a rather fierce one," Angleton warned in faux apprehension. "Be on the watch for it."
"Oh the dog has been taken care of," grinned Stager. "And its owner will be joining us!"
Violano was waiting in the parking lot of a small grocery store along the highway leading to the Glass property. He gave Stager's car a thirty second lead and then pulled out behind him, eventually stopping at a safe distance from the path to the heiau. As he neared the gate the moonlight picked out tire tracks and footprints on the damp earth; the ground shook briefly and he brushed at his chest where his wards had begun to sting. Looks like the party's getting started. I hope the old man knows what he's doing, he thought. He was more worried about Esther than he cared to admit. As he reached the gate he heard a commotion in the distance and what sounded like a distant scream…
As Esther neared the firelight the undergrowth began to thin out, forcing her to stop. Crouched behind a tangle of bougainvillea, she scanned the area for Kai. The moving crowd and flickering torches made it difficult to see. Ignoring the thorns scratching her hands she impatiently parted the bougainvillea vines, moved closer and cupped her hands around her eyes to filter the glare. A struggling figure caught her eye almost immediately, but the height and stockiness of the man made it clear it was not Kai. The steady stream of curses she heard would have confirmed it had there been any doubt.
"What the *** do you think you're doing! This is my property, you God-damned –" A punch to the stomach cut off his tirade; the man was dragged to a nearby stake and bound. A robed figure began directing the cult members off to one side of the clearing to make way for a second man, pushed roughly into the firelight by men gripping his arms.
"Olu'olu! Let me go! What do you want with me?"
"Shut up!" shouted the robed leader.
"Kala, is that you? What is going on?"
"You, my dear cousin, are about to have the privilege of communing with those from beyond the stars. You carry the blood of the Deep Ones as well as men. You can intercede for us!" As she spoke Kala pulled back the hood of her robe. A fierce joy gleamed in her eyes.
Kai stared. "Are you hehena? What is wrong with you? Call your ritual off before the island is destroyed. The Deep Ones know what you are planning and they will have no part of it." He raised his voice. "Listen to me! If you open this portal we will all die. The gods you are summoning will consume us and those who are left will drown."
A nervous muttering arose from the group at his words, but Kala was infuriated. "You lie! Our leader comes now. You will see him demonstrate his power and bend the gods to his will!" At her gesture three worshipers tied Kai to another stake near Glass.
"What gods? What the hell are you talking about!" Glass shouted, just as the professor entered the clearing. Angleton, appearing anxious, trailed him at a short distance; his expression sharpened as his gaze paused at the bougainvillea for a moment. He quietly moved to position himself at the professor's side, shielding the area from Stager.
Stager, now also robed, pulled an object from his pocket and held it up, displaying it to the cultists. In his hand was the stone knife from his office. "Behold! The desecrator of this land will now be punished!" he called. An exultant shout from the crowd answered him as Kala took the knife and stalked toward the two prisoners.
"Let me go, you stupid bi – Aaugh!" shrieked Glass, as Kala stabbed him in the mouth. Blood poured onto the ground as the priestess pulled his tongue loose with her free hand.
"See what happens to those who don't believe!"
One of the cultists came rushing up with a machete and hacked at the helpless man, who gave a gurgling scream. Fortunately his torment was brief, as a lucky blow aimed at his neck a moment later killed him. Stager handed Kala a large bowl which she held to the body as Glass bled out.
Kai looked as though he were about to faint. Esther, a veteran of such scenes, closed her eyes in disgust for a moment and then began to calculate how to approach Kai. I need a distraction. Looking back at Angleton, she saw his eyes glowing faintly as he stared at Glass' body, realized what was about to happen and waited for her cue.
Stager, chanting in Enochian, took the bowl and drank from it; he returned it to Kala, who also drank and followed him to the summoning grid in the center of the heiau. There she lifted the bowl, but before she could pour the blood onto the grid Angleton's diversion took effect. The body that had belonged to Glass straightened up, head dangling to one side, and reached for the cultist still holding the machete; as the feeder made contact the man screamed and fell to the ground convulsing. The machete fell to one side and Esther saw her chance. Staying away from the firelight and moving quietly through the undergrowth, she sank to the ground, crept forward and reached the machete as the worshiper lifted his head, eyes now glowing green.
The crowd surged back in panic; Esther reached for the weapon but just as she grasped the handle a firm hand grabbed her ankle and pulled her back. She gasped in shock, but the disruption spreading through the crowd covered the sound and her struggle.
"What the hell, Esther!" It was, of course, Agent Violano. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"No, I'm trying to keep somebody else from getting killed," she snapped, brushing at her clothes. "Kai Kapule, there to the left. I've got to cut him loose while everyone is distracted – "
"Take these. I brought some wards for you." Violano handed them over while observing the crowd. "That Stager guy seems to know what he's doing, unfortunately. Looks like you've lost your chance." And indeed, Stager had ordered the second feeder away from the group to crouch among tumbled chunks of lava rock. Angleton, arms folded, was observing him closely. "Your boss doesn't seem to be doing much."
"He summoned the feeders," Esther retorted. "And I think he's trying to see how much of a threat Stager is."
"Well, my job is to put a halt to this and arrest him." Violano's hand moved to the gun at his hip, but then he turned to stare at her. "What do you mean, summoned the feeders? Is Angleton a necromancer or something?"
"That's exactly what he is and he's running this show, whether Stager knows it or not."
"We'll see about that," Violano retorted. "Get back where they can't see you. I'm going out there and get that crowd under control."
"Be careful, Jerry! That's how Agent Summers got killed."
The agent gave a deep sigh. "Yeah. I'll be careful." He gave her a grin meant to be reassuring and muttered, "Here goes nothing," then stood up and moved into the clearing. "United States Government, OPA. You are all under arrest and I hereby order you to cease your activities immediately. You, Stager! Get on your knees with your hands behind your head."
"I think not." The professor's voice was cold. "There are many of us, and only one of you." He added a command to the feeder, which began moving toward Violano. Pulling his gun, Violano dropped it with a single shot.
"Banishment rounds, Stager! I can take you all down if I have to." Stager flung a curse at him, but his aim was spoiled as the earth shook again. The worshipers who had taken Stager's hint and moved toward the agent flung themselves to the ground in fear as Violano dodged and inscribed a protective sigil in front of his face with his free hand. Esther took advantage of the sudden confusion, grabbed the machete and moved stealthily behind Kapule, who was trembling.
"Sshh! It's me, Kai. I'm going to cut you loose. Hold still!" She cut him away from the stake and cleared the ropes from his hands. "Listen. Get back to the road, take one of the cars. Can you get to the ocean? We need you to report to the Deep Ones that we have everything under control. This threat ends tonight."
"Yes, I can. But what about you?"
"I'm not leaving until this is over. Go now!" Pointing toward the path, she gave him a quick push. As Kai disappeared she turned around and found herself face to face with a furious Kala Chen.
"You've ruined everything!" she shrieked as she grabbed Esther and began forcing her toward Glass' body, still tied to the stake.
Fighting back, Esther retorted "How could you plot against your own cousin? Kai never hurt anyone."
"It was for the good of Hawaii. Our culture, our traditions! We have to fight back or they will disappear. You'll never interfere with our plans again!" Kala bared her teeth as she shoved Esther closer to the feeder.
You asked for it, Esther thought fiercely. With a quick lunge she threw Kala off balance and against Glass' possessed body. Kala's scream of terror was abruptly cut off as she made contact, stiffened and collapsed. Esther immediately snatched up the machete and cut the feeder free, then shouted"Obey me!" Her Enochian was sufficient to give a few simple orders. "We must prepare the way for the One who Comes! Take the worshipers! That way, that way!" She pointed into the crowd and watched as the two figures stumbled toward the cult members swarming Violano. The distraction of the feeders scattered the crowd and the agent shook himself free after planting a well-placed kick. The unfortunate recipient collapsed, clutching his groin, and Violano glanced around, searching for Stager. "You there!" he shouted to Angleton. "Get over toward the rocks. I'll deal with you later."
Angleton made a small gesture to indicate Stager's position, then held his hands up and began edging toward the dead feeder. Before he could get far, however, Stager roared to the cultists: "Take them! We must complete the ritual now! Bring them to me for the sacrifice!"
After summoning the feeders Angleton had taken advantage of the professor's distraction by subvocalizing a chant to further sabotage the ritual. The discipline and organization Kala had imposed on the group were dissolving into confusion and panic. Stager, enraged to see his efforts failing, shouted again in a language neither Violano nor Esther could recognize; three worshipers slowly turned to face the agents and shouted "We obey!" The other members followed their lead and spread out. Violano cursed as he realized they were now pinned down: The feeders were approaching from one direction as the worshipers herded them toward certain death. Esther tried again to command the feeders and Violano raised his gun, but Stager hissed a phrase that neither of them could hear clearly. A splitting pain in her head caused Esther to double over and Violano, almost equally disabled, tried to mutter a counterphrase which had no effect.
"This has gone far enough." Angleton's cold voice cut through the night. "Professor, I advise you to end this farce. Your captive spoke the truth when he tried to warn you: the Deep Ones are aware of your attempts to control the dark forces and they will not allow it." Even the feeders had stopped to listen, with confused expressions that briefly reminded Esther of dogs trying to understand their master's commands.
"Shut up!" Stager raged. "How dare you interrupt me! I honored you with an invitation tonight and this is how you repay me?"
"This is your last chance." Angleton, his eyes now glowing more strongly than before, stepped forward and confronted the crowd. "Heed me now or choose death. Which is it to be?"
"Oh my God," Violano muttered. "His eyes! It can't be. He's..." Esther's puzzled expression stopped him. "I mean, I heard rumors but I thought they were exaggerating."
"They weren't. We have to hide, right now." Esther gripped his hand. "We need to get out of his line of sight and hope our wards hold." As she spoke one of the cultists rushed Angleton, only to collapse bleeding from the eyes and ears. Others in the crowd screamed, grabbed their heads and fell convulsing. Concealing themselves among the panicked crowd, Jerry and Esther crawled to the cluster of lava rocks. The feeder's corpse lying near them provided additional protection as none of the worshipers were willing to approach it.
"Stay down, stay down! Keep your head down!" Esther hissed, gritting her teeth against the burning pain of her ward. Nearly sick with fear, she closed her eyes and cringed behind the rock as Stager approached.
The cult leader, now completely isolated, was now almost as bewildered as he was angry. "Who are you?" he demanded. "You're not the inexperienced dabbler you claim to be. What have you done to my people?"
"I am disappointed, Professor. You told me you were an expert in the occult. Surely you must have heard of the preta? The hungry ghost? I am he. And I am very hungry."
Angleton's expression changed to burning eyes and a ravenous grin. Stager backed away and opened his mouth to scream, but it was far too late.
A warm breeze washed over Esther and a bird chirped nearby, breaking the silence that hung over the heiau. Her wards had cooled; cautiously she raised her head. Angleton, shoulders slumped, was standing with his back to her. Shaking, she pulled herself to her feet.
"Dr. Angleton? – It's all right, Jerry, you can get up now – Sir, are you all right?"
"Never better, my dear Esther." Angleton's answer was contradicted by his bitter tone. Breathing deeply, he made a visible effort to collect himself as he turned to face the two shaken agents. "There is nothing like the savor of victory, is there?" he added with a wave toward the bodies lying around them.
"Some of them got away," Violano commented.
"I doubt they will cause trouble in the future. Stager was using them, promised them an independent Hawaii and heaven knows what else. His hold on them is gone, and after what they have witnessed tonight I don't think any of the survivors will be tempted to experiment with the occult again."
"Speaking of Stager, where is he?"
"Taken care of. You can report to your overseers that the cult is broken and its leader destroyed. Now," he added as Violano opened his mouth to argue, "I suggest we call in your contacts to clean up the mess."
After another long look around the heiau the other agent traded looks with Esther, shrugged and headed for the pathway. "There's a pay phone about a quarter of a mile back. Maybe you can come up with an explanation for what happened to Glass while I'm gone. The police are going to have questions," was his parting shot as he left.
After a moment Esther sat next to Angleton. "This ended just like Siquijor," she commented.
"Yes." Angleton's tone was flat. "More death, more waste." He glanced at his trainee. "It always seems to end this way. Are you prepared for that?"
"Yes. We saved the islands, and a lot of people's lives. And as you said, there will always be practitioners who think they know better. We have to keep stopping them." Another tremor shook the ground, emphasizing her point.
"Stager's efforts may have awakened the volcano, but there is nothing we can do about that. The Deep Ones need to be notified that the cult has been destroyed. Where is Mr. Kapule?"
"With the Deep Ones. After I cut him free I told him to go straight to the ocean and contact them." It was Esther's turn to look depressed. "I'll probably never see him again after we leave."
"Ah, I see. Well, my dear, remember there is always Dunwich." As Esther's expression brightened, he picked a small object off the ground and stood. "Now let us put an end to this." Moving to a nearby palm tree, he bound it to the trunk with a loop of silver wire. It was clad in the tatters of a white suit, mouth open in a silent scream. A cruel smile curled Angleton's lips.
"My dear Professor, I fear this is a hard lesson for you. Overconfidence is a truly amateur mistake. At least you can serve as a warning to others." He beckoned to Esther and she followed him down the path toward the road.
The following evening Jerry Violano wandered into the Bamboo Gardens teahouse. After a quick glance he located Angleton sitting alone with a chessboard and pot of tea in front of him. Violano joined him at the table.
"Where's Miss Banks?" was his first question.
"Mr. Kapule invited her for a picnic. There was some talk of a moonlight swim."
"Hmmph." Violano poured himself a cup of tea. "Fraternizing with the enemy? I'm surprised at you."
"You're mistaken. Kapule is no enemy of ours; in fact he was most helpful in locating the cult." Angleton frowned. "My advice would be to treat him as an asset. If you are staying here…"
The agent shrugged. "I might be. I'll have to go back to the mainland to debrief, but after what's happened I think the OPA wants to move a few more agents here to keep an eye on things." He glanced again at the pieces on the board. "Is this your idea of a relaxing evening?"
"I enjoy chess. Strategy, conflict, but no lives are actually at stake. As opposed to last night."
Violano shivered in spite of the warm evening. "The first time I saw something like that was right after the war. I was assigned to shadow a resistance group trying to bring back the Japanese empire. It was supposed to be routine surveillance, but things went very wrong very fast; I was lucky to survive. Next day I was up before a military tribunal trying to explain what happened when the door opened and this guy walked in. A civilian, didn't even bother to knock. The entire tribunal stood up, saluted him and that's when I knew I was really in over my head. The guy took me away and the next thing I knew I was conscripted into the OPA. And here we are," he finished with a shrug.
"It's how most of us get into this business. But there is a difference between being conscripted and being committed. You, Mr. Violano, are committed. As am I. As is Agent Banks." Angleton raised his cup in acknowledgement. "You are a dedicated man. And, I believe, an open-minded one; they haven't taken that from you yet. The OPA needs more like you."
Jerry did not answer directly. "They're going to bind me again. I don't know what I can do…"
"The best you can. It's all any of us can do." Angleton leaned back as the waiter brought fresh tea. "But in the meantime, I don't suppose you play chess?"
Olu'olu = please
Hehena = crazy
And Kilauea volcano did indeed erupt in 1952. Up to that point it was theorized to be dormant.