Free HAUNT OF MURDER, A by P. C. Doherty

Beatrice, those two are the most dangerous!’
    He spoke so vehemently, Beatrice sat down again. ‘Who are they?’
    ‘They are one and the same person,’ Antony replied. ‘Succubus and Incubus.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘They are the true devils,’ Antony warned.
    ‘But they were so beautiful, so helpful.’
    ‘Haven’t you heard the old phrase, Beatrice, “The Devil can appear as an angel of light”?’ He grasped her hands. ‘When Goodman Winthrop died, you saw demons, but they came from within. They were of his own making, his lusts, his avarice and desire for power.’

    ‘Did he kill that young girl?’ Beatrice asked. ‘Phoebe? Where is she and why can’t I see her spirit?’
    Antony smiled. ‘Phoebe has gone on; her death cannot be laid at Goodman Winthrop’s door. In life, as in death, nothing is what it seems. Oh, listen to me, Beatrice! There is a difference between the demons we create and those devils, those fallen angels who constantly rage against the light, who would, if they could, scale the walls of Heaven and burn them to the ground.’
    ‘I don’t believe you.’ Beatrice withdrew her hands, yet she could tell from Antony’s eyes that he was deeply worried.
    ‘What do you expect devils to be like, Beatrice? Little men with forked tails and horns? Creatures from some mummers’ play?’ he scoffed. ‘They are nothing but lurid paintings. Devils are like angels, Beatrice, a mixture of pure light, energy, intelligence and will. They can take on many forms and guises.’
    ‘But I am dead. Holy Mother Church teaches that after death comes judgement.’ She shook her head. ‘Why should they be interested in my soul now?’
    ‘Oh, they are, Beatrice. Very, very interested, especially in one like you. You have not yet travelled on. You are capable of free choice. You are here because you want to be. You have not journeyed on because you have refused to. In a way, you are no different from Malkyn or Lady Johanna de Mandeville, so the angels of Hell are interested in you, deeply interested. If they can, they will turn your will so your face no longer looks towards God.’
    ‘Is that what is happening to Malkyn and the rest?’ she asked.
    ‘Yes, it is. That’s what Satan and all his armies want. A shattering of harmony, the breakdown of peace, misery and tribulation. The capture of souls.’
    ‘But if I have a will, why can’t I …’
    ‘Intervene? Cross to the other side? You could.’
    ‘I can.’ Beatrice smiled.

    ‘You have intellect, you have will,’ Antony went on cautiously. ‘And that’s the supreme temptation.’
    ‘You mean, if I obey Crispin and Clothilde?’
    ‘They will give you that power for a price.’
    ‘And can’t the beings of light?’
    ‘They can, Beatrice, but it has to be earned.’
    A silver disc came between them and moved away.
    ‘What is that?’ Beatrice asked.
    Antony did not answer.
    ‘Are Crispin and Clothilde my guardian devils?’ Beatrice asked.
    ‘They are one and the same,’ Antony repeated. ‘Succubus and Incubus, the male and female face of a fallen angel. They can appear in many forms, many guises. They can laugh and tease, they can rage and plot.’
    Beatrice stared up at the sky. It was blue but tinged with that strange bronze coppery light. Shapes and shades were moving across like a flock of geese, dark and forbidding.
    ‘What are they?’
    ‘The Devil’s huntsmen.’ Antony narrowed his eyes. ‘They streak across the world seeking their quarry. And to answer your question, Beatrice, yes, Crispin and Clothilde are your guardian devil.’
    ‘And where is my guardian angel?’
    ‘The silver disc,’ he replied. ‘I can only tell you so much.’ His voice grew weaker. ‘In the end, Beatrice, you must make your own choices. I can help if you wish but in the end only you can decide.’ He held up three fingers. ‘Intellect, love and will. You can force anyone to do anything but you cannot force someone to love. God’s love is