The Burning Man

9

Even in the first light the interior of the truck baked as they drove north along the empty desert road. Shavi had remained silent ever since they had set off, staring through the open passenger window across the bleak expanse of sand. Without any warning his head pitched forward and then back, and he gave a low moan.

‘You all right?’ Church asked.

After a moment, Shavi replied weakly, ‘I saw … I saw …’ One hand made a claw over his alien eye, as if he was about to pluck it out. ‘I saw death.’

‘No surprise there.’ Tom sniffed. He turned the ring on his finger with repressed anxiety.

‘For the Brothers and Sisters of Dragons. It follows us closely, like your ravens, Church, and not all of us will survive what is to come.’ He sighed. ‘One of us will die soon.’

‘Laura?’ Shavi was only confirming what Church had felt instinctively since the ravens had started to follow him.

‘I do not know. It is not clear. But I fear for her, Church, and for Hunter.’ Tears rimmed his eyes. He looked back out through the window, and no one spoke for the next hour.