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'I have witnessed the foul deeds of her disciples。' Sabat was trembling。 'A supposed reincarnation of one who was more evil than my brother Quentin； one who has the blood of countless millions on his hands。'
'It may or may not be him； but certainly Lilith is spreading her wickedness； a plague of blood that will destroy civilisation and then she will rule supreme over your world； a Hades undreamed of。 You did not e here of your own free will； Sabat； you were summoned by a higher authority。 Prevent such bloodshed on earth which you see around you here； and which will go on for time immemorial from destroying mortal man。 Let your astral body find Lilith before it is too late。 Mayhap she is already known to you！'
Sabat stiffened； saw a glint in those clear blue eyes and knew that the old man had given him a clue。 Forbidden to intervene in the battle between Good and Evil on mortal soil the other had not betrayed the trust of the gods； yet at the same time had given Sabat subtle guidance。 'Mayhap she is already known to you＇'
Then Sabat was turning away； retracing his steps； sensing the other's eyes following his departure from this blood…soaked wasteland。 The vultures raised their heads to watch him pass； eyed his bronzed flesh lustfully。
Soon he was airborne again and away from this dreadful land； taking on the shape of a harrier； small birds scattering at his approach。 Slowing； drifting on air currents； an astral body searching aimlessly； a hunting hawk； unsure of the nature of its prey。
Sunshine but not burning heat； a pleasant warmth that gave him a feeling of tranquility overshadowed only by the enormity of his seemingly hopeless task。 Below him the land was green and fresh； a meandering river where cows sought the shade of an overhanging willow。 Again the landscape was deserted； just isolated farms； a labourer's cottage here and there。 And a big house set back half a mile from the moorland road in its own extensive grounds； high yew hedges to protect it from the winter winds and blizzards 。。。 or the casual interest of travellers。
Sabat would have glided on but surprised himself at the instinctive checking of his wings； a half turn that brought him back towards the yew boundary of that big house。 Again he changed； this time to a diving swallow； for harriers were rare and excited unwanted interest。 Flying lower he was able to distinguish the house more clearly； black and white timbers in need of renovation； windows grimy as though to keep out prying eyes。 The garden； at least an acre； was an overgrown wilderness； untended for years； only the extensive shrubberies surviving。 And beyond still more land； an enclosed ungrazed pasture sloping down to a fir wood by the winding river。 Beauty that was spoiled by an unsightly array of shabby caravans and tents； the ground all around a mass of litter。 Hidden from view by the contours of the landscape； a massive caravan and campsite that had defied the interference of the planning authorities because they had never discovered its existence。
He returned to the house； settled on an upper window…sill； attempted to see inside。 An extensive bedroom with a facsimile four…poster dominating。 A woman lay resting on it； long blonde hair groomed to perfection； the features sheer beauty except that the eyes and mouth had a harshness stamped on them； an outward expression of innermost thoughts。 Firm breasts half hidden in the cups of a shallow half bra； the stomach below flat and smooth； the wide thighs accentuated by the jet black suspender belt； partly open legs encased in black mesh stockings。 She might have been thirty…five or twenty…five。 Relaxed； idly flipping the pages of a fashion magazine； scowling as though she hated the contents but had nothing else to do。
For Sabat the shock was greater than if he had suddenly been confronted by a hunting cat on that narrow window…ledge。 Body and brain fused into immobility and had his bird form been physical he would surely have toppled into space。
He recognised the girl on the bed； remembered this place now although he had only been here once before and that some three years ago。 For this was Langdon Manor； home of Colonel Vince Lealan； late of the SAS； and the woman stretched on the four…poster was none other than the delectable Catriona Lealan； a Madame of expertise with whips and canes； whose hobby was humbling strong handsome men
Yet Sabat could not delay here any longer。 He had no idea how long it was since he had left his physical body for he had traversed a land where time did not exist。 It was dangerous to be away too long for should his enemies strike then he would be totally helpless； too well he remembered that occasion when the evil forces had sought to destroy him by fire at the Dun Cow Inn* while his astral body was absent。
Bewildered； shocked； he took to the wing； changing once more to a hawk for greater speed。 But he knew he would be returning to Langdon Manor before long； such was Catriona's hold over his sexual desires。
CHAPTER EIGHT
SABAT WAS aware that he had an erection as his eyelids flickered open； a pleasurable sense of arousal that came with a host of memories from his astral exploration。 His hand strayed downwards but he checked it； there were other matters crowding his mind besides the urge to masturbate； troubled waking thoughts。
The Disciple of Lilith herself。 That woman who was calling herself Lilith； Goddess of Darkness； was in fact Lilith herself； or at least a woman who was possessed by the succubus。 Using drugs and hypnotism she had recruited an army of dropouts； skinheads； the scum of society； and was sending them forth to mit vampire…like killings。 The intention was to spread mass hysteria which in turn would lead to anarchy； a fascist rule； and Lilith would then have achieved her aim。 Suddenly it was again Sabat's fight； no longer just a police matter to control the threatened nazi takeover。 Once more he must pit his wits against the dark forces of evil； his inner struggle with Quentin ing to the boil again。 And revenge； oh God； how he wanted to wreak his vengeance on those who had murdered Ilona！
He relaxed again now that he had it all clear in his mind。 Find and destroy Lilith and the cancer would die。 Mayhap she is already known to you！
His earlier waking urge came back to him。 Catriona Lealan； the woman who had once dominated his body； had bee foremost in his wild sexual fantasies once their physical relationship had ended； and was again prominently featuring in his life。 He saw her as his astral body had seen her； sensuous； vicious。 。 。 irresistible！ And as his fingers slid back down to the lower regions of his body he knew that he had to see her again 。 。 。 soon！ Even now her influence was working on him； his whole body stiffening and jerking。 He seemed to hear her voice； soft and husky yet demanding。 'e to me； Sabat； and I will give you everything that you desire。〃
He showered； dressed hurriedly； and wondered why he had not phoned Catriona before。 Even now it took courage and his hands shook slightly as he consulte