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Narrow streets； upper storeys of the houses on either side almost touching in places； shrieks of laughter ing from some of them as whores delighted their customers； dark because no lights illuminated this gloomy place。
Sabat's fear was that he might lose the man he followed and then everything would have been in vain。 Vallin might turn off into any one of these houses without warning。 So Sabat changed his form； this time into a black rat； a procedure that was instantaneous and had him scurrying along the filthy gutter； closing in on Vallin because even if the other saw him there were numerous rats feeding here brazenly on the stinking garbage。 In human form his quarry's suspicions might be aroused for they were both in their astral bodies whereas on those occasions when Sabat visited the living in this dimension there was no chance of being spotted for he was invisible at all times。
Suddenly Pierre Vallin stopped and for a moment was framed in the lighted doorway of a timbered house。 He stepped inside and the door was closed again。
Sabat saw and memorised the exterior of the building； knew that he would be able to find it again。 He could have returned straightaway to his physical body but his curiosity was getting the better of him。 He had found the man he was looking for； the house where surely Catriona was hiding； yet now he had the opportunity to witness that evil deed of which he had read； an obscure myth that was rapidly being a truth on the astral plane。 Before this night was done Pierre Vallin would give his baby daughter to the devil in female form； one who could be none other than Lilith； the vampire； Lilith the succubus。
And even as Sabat hesitated on that garbage strewn step his rodent eyes picked up the shrill sound of a baby crying。 He knew then that there was no going back until he had seen this whole business through。
Once more he changed his shape； the huge rat shrinking in size； sprouting ragged wings that fluttered and had him airborne； a tiny body flitting from window to window and then the night moth passed through into the house。
The interior was stuffy； dominated by a pungent smell of rotting food； vegetables heaped in a corner of the downstairs room； the floor thick with filth。 A cockroach on the table eyed Sabat quizzically as he bobbed erratically against the ceiling and then passed through to the upper storey。
As below； the upstairs consisted of just a single room。 And even as Sabat went into it he experienced a sensation of retching； wanting to vomit at the vile stench of putrefaction； the grimy…heap of crumpled blankets that served as Vallin's bed； rank with sweat and urine； the wooden box with infant bedclothing that was no more savoury； a makeshift cradle in the midst of which lay a baby girl only a few months old。
Crying because her wasting body demanded food； the skin a mass of rashes where she had laid in her own excreta。 Sabat fluttered across her； stared down at the tiny features； harsh for one so young and innocent； a miniature replica of Vallin； yet another link in the evil line which stretched across centuries until it materialised into the living shape of Vince Lealan
Sabat saw that and much more； a macabre setting that had him longing for the sanity of his physical body。 For there was no doubt whatsoever that Pierre Vallin was an acplished magician； one who delved into the lowest depths of the black arts。 The evidence was there in abundance； an altar draped with black cloth； an inverted crucifix； the upside down crudely carved figure of Christ violated to the extremities of blasphemy； daubed with dried blood which Sabat had no doubt was human！ Bones and deposing animal and bird corpses piled on a tray； a rat that still wriggled； suspended by a thread whilst its blood dripped steadily into a black goblet； the drink of the damned。 Sabat overcame' his revulsion with the calculated realism of one who accepted such things； had seen them many times before in the dark corners of the globe。
Yet he tensed and thrilled to the knowledge that he had found this place； a wizard's hovel to which surely Lilith would e； for the jar of pickled foreskins on the crude table denoted that this follower of the Left Hand Path was a familiar with succubi； tasty morsels in readiness to offer these vampire seductresses when they visited him。
Finally he turned his attention to the man he had followed here； Pierre Vallin。 Vallin had exchanged his gaudy street clothing for long flowing black robes； his eyes bright with fanatical anticipation。 Stooping because the ceiling was low； his face seeming to have aged decades with the change of garments； wizened and old； diabolical in its expression。
'Offspring of a whore！' He kicked the cradle； almost toppled it； and the baby screeched even louder。 'Scream your last； bastard； for tonight the succubus will be your mother。 She will cradle you to her bosom whilst she feeds and satisfies her need for infant blood！'
Sabat settled on a beam； a silent spectator to the unholy preparations which were already beginning； the black candles smoking and flickering； their fumes oily and choking。 Vallin picked up the infant； held it at arm's length by one leg as though it were a cockerel； his lips creasing into a low cackle。 'Oh； how the succubus will be pleased this night。 Scream； little one； let her hear your cries and e quickly； for Pierre Vallin will be rewarded handsomely for this offering。'
The sorcerer lapsed into a toneless chant； bastard French and Latin that Sabat would have had difficulty in following had he not known the general build…up to human sacrifice practised by Satanists throughout the ages。 Vallin's voice rose to a pitch； one of the candles flickered and went out； the remaining flame almost horizontal as an icy gust of wind buffeted the room； flapping the altar cloths。 Sabat had to cling on to his precarious perch； as he was almost dislodged。 Then； as he had expected； the remaining candle was extinguished and the room plunged into darkness。 Pierre Vallin's incantations had sunk to a cringing whine； a babble of terror because he feared the manifestation which was imminent！
Suddenly there was light； an ethereal glow emanating from some unknown source； a glimmer by which it was possible to discern shapes and outlines but not details。 Vallin was on his knees； arms thrown up to protect his body from a nameless horror； the infant on the altar suddenly still and silent as though it too sensed the presence of a terrible evil。 Something had been summoned from beyond mortal ken and now it had arrived＇
Sabat watched； sensed his own fear mounting； as an indiscernible shadow beside the vile altar began to take shape 。。。 a woman； naked； provocatively stretching out one leg then the other； breasts that swung gently with nipples engorged and firm； a figure that would arouse any man； have him grovelling before that sensuous body。 And then you saw the face as the shadows fell back； radiantly beautiful； eyes that seemed to glow like hot coals； nostrils flared as though she delighted in the vile stench of thi