The Chemickal Marriage

arrive in your possession, madam. He
relied
upon it.’ Trooste indicated the glass book he had taken from the hamper. ‘Now death is immaterial and the marriage can begin. The ritual will remove the taint of corruption that consumed his body, and thus enact a new covenant. The flesh of life is remade to the flesh of dreams.’
    Trooste’s last words were echoed by acolytes as if it were part of a liturgy.
    The Contessa nodded gravely. ‘As he was ever the most mighty, so shall Robert Vandaariff be first redeemed.’
    Trooste laid a hand on Chang’s scar. ‘The vessel has been prepared, seasoned through the progress of metals. As his essence is restored from the book, our master’s soul will pass through infusions of six sacred alloys, and so by each be
cleansed
.’ Trooste knelt at an empty slot beneath the table. ‘The glass volume is placed in a chamber charged with quicksilver, the seventh metal. An eighth metal, tincture of bloodstone, protects the vessel himself, serving as an alchemical sieve. The soul will take root in its new home.’ Trooste indicated the hoses that linked Chang to Miss Temple. ‘While the corruption of death is
passed on
. Into the Bride.’
    Miss Temple’s throat burnt. The more fully Trooste detailed the path of violent energy, the more the Comte’s memories confirmed her doom. Trooste moved to where Miss Temple could see his earnest expression. ‘Thus she becomes the embodiment of pure love.’
    ‘It will kill her,’ declared Svenson.
    ‘Not immediately. We should have several hours for study.’
    ‘Wait.’ Mahmoud stepped forward, eyeing the metal tubs with suspicion. ‘Six metals? You’re not going to kill anyone else.’
    Trooste blinked and said nothing.
    ‘You are
not
,’ repeated Mahmoud, ‘going to kill
anyone else
!’
    ‘Of course she is!’ bleated Schoepfil. ‘Don’t be a damned fool!’
    ‘I’ll do it this instant if you don’t be quiet,’ said the Contessa. She called to Trooste: ‘And his mind will be whole again? The corruption, the madness –’
    ‘All cleansed, madam. Purity. Rapture. Eden.’
    Mahmoud began to protest but Svenson touched his shoulder and addressed Trooste: ‘How do
you
know this? Today, healing Mrs Kraft, you had no more idea than I.’
    ‘Lord Vandaariff instructed me, this very night.’ Trooste was a priest describing a revelation. ‘Just as his
incarnation
informed the child. And all has come to pass as he foretold. The Vessel returned for consumption, theBride to accept the sin, the Virgo Lucifera to enforce heaven’s will. He
knew
. And he will know again.’
    Trooste raised his hands like the conductor of an orchestra. A snapping sound came from Doctor Svenson’s hands. In a stride he reached Trooste and plunged the broken tip of a blue glass key into his neck. The blood around the wound stiffened to glass, cracking as Trooste’s throat filled. The wound bulged and his face darkened to purple. Trooste’s gasp of shock was swallowed in a gutteral crackling and he fell. Svenson stepped away and lifted his empty hands, three carbines and a revolver aimed at his chest.
    ‘
You bloody imbecile
!’ shouted the Contessa. ‘You –
you
–’
    Svenson’s voice cut through her anger like a sword. ‘If I am killed, this
ends
. None of you know enough about the Comte’s science. Without me nothing can continue.’
    The Contessa snarled with frustration. She nodded the helmet, ruefully it seemed and, despite her fury, with a certain appreciation. ‘And, let me guess, you refuse to do so?’
    The Doctor reached into his tunic for a cigarette. ‘Not at all. But there will be conditions.’
    At once the weapons shifted to Mahmoud and Schoepfil, each of whom had moved towards Svenson. Svenson blew smoke from the corner of his mouth, eyeing them coolly.
    ‘I’m sorry, gentlemen. At some point a man’s just had enough.’
    With a feeling of dread Miss Temple watched Svenson approach the rack of books. His eyes were as absent of feeling as they’d been in the Thermæ. She had passed him Francesca’s key, as they discussed the star map, in the hope that he could somehow open the book and save Chang’s memory, but he had thrown away the tool to secure his own freedom. She had told him to save himself …
    Svenson took a handkerchief from his pocket to protect his hand. He pointed to one of the volumes in the padded book rack and looked at the acolytes.
    ‘This volume has been lately brought by the Contessa –