Doctor Who_ Bunker Soldiers - Martin Day [71]
But this was heaven, and it was in his heart. It was in human form at his side – his true love, long dead, now radiant with the breath of life. Her slender fingers caressed his cheek, her lips grazed against his ears whispering songs and poems that stirred his soul.
They were naked on the hillside – he saw that now – and her body was pressed down on his. They were naked, and without shame. Her legs were tight against his own, her breasts flat against his chest.
Her mouth hovered over his.
The sky darkened, and everything changed. For the first time Yevhen felt fear. Over his lover’s shoulders he could see storm clouds gathering.
Lightning sparkled in the sudden shadows and the woman’s lips, once red, became as black as midnight blood.
Yevhen screamed and, as he did so, he became aware of a different environment, a more mundane one. His temporary quarters in darkness, his sheets in disarray – oh, the shamelessness of his thoughts! – and something... someone...
pressing down on him.
Unblemished skin, smooth and strong, holding him down –
but the eyes glowed like a cat’s caught in torchlight.
Yevhen screamed again. He heard the clatter of soldiers’ feet in the corridor, then felt the nightmarish attacker ease its grip. It slithered from the bed, the door crashed open – and he was alone again with his guilt and confusion.
Dmitri was poring over the plans of the city defences when a light knock at the door disturbed his thoughts.
‘Who is it?’ he asked.
‘Lesia.’
‘Lesia? Come in, come in.’ Dmitri looked up. Indeed it was Yevhen’s daughter, looking tired and drained but evidently better than before. Her dark, unbrushed hair fell around her neck and chest; he couldn’t help but notice that her nightshirt had fallen away from one shoulder. Yevhen’s girl was very much a woman now; Dmitri returned his attention to the maps.
‘You are better, then?’
‘Yes.’ He felt, rather than saw, her come alongside him.
‘I am glad. As your father must be. Now, if you would excuse me...’
‘Yevhen is full of bitterness,’ said Lesia in a strange singsong voice. Dmitri thought it odd that she referred to her father by name, and wondered if she was still suffering from whatever catatonia had earlier seized her.
‘Well,’ he said, wondering what to say. ‘Your father has many excellent qualities.’
‘He has not forgiven his wife for dying in childbirth. He blames his daughter.’
‘But still he loves you.’
‘Love?’ Lesia rested a gentle hand on Dmitri’s shoulder.
There was a commotion outside and, embarrassed by Lesia’s behaviour, Dmitri shrugged away from her touch. ‘What is that noise?’ he asked.
‘Yevhen thinks he has been attacked by a succubus. The guards are searching for the beast.’ Lesia’s hand rested again on Dmitri, more heavily this time. ‘They should search more diligently.’
Dmitri turned, and saw that Lesia’s eyes glowed like hot coals.
‘Lesia...’
Her lips nuzzled the governor’s neck, then Dmitri tensed as he felt teeth on his skin.
His terrified screams laced the night air with a deeper madness.
XVII
Insania
My sleep was only dimly interrupted by disturbances from the corridors. I remember cries for help and the stamp of soldiers’
boots: although I was very tired, and no one hammered on my door, I did investigate once or twice but by the time I pulled my door open there was no one there.
Soon after daybreak, however, I was summoned to the great debating chamber. Dmitri asked me to join him and his advisers at the head of the table. I was shocked to see that his face and neck were swollen and bloody.
‘You are late,’ he said with unusual bluntness.
‘I came as fast as I could.’
Dmitri became aware of my interest in his wounds. ‘I was attacked,’ he said by way of explanation. ‘This creature still roams the corridors. It attacked your friend, and seems to have taken Yevhen’s daughter from us.’
‘Is Dodo all