"Great Magician Zabulon," said Witezslav. "The Inquisition has no charges to bring against you: You may return to your seat. However, we remind you that taken all together your actions appear extremely ambiguous and dangerous..."

"I understand, I understand," Zabulon muttered as he walked out of the circle. "Soon it will be impossible to pick your nose without permission..."

Edgar looked at Gesar, expecting the old intriguer to be angry.

But no. Gesar wasn't angry. He even seemed to have taken a genuine interest in what Zabulon had said. That is, he had been quite convinced that the head of the Dark Ones would wriggle out of everything, but he was interested in all the details.

They'd known all of this beforehand!

Edgar struggled desperately to gather his scattered thoughts. That meant Svetlana really was going to be the mother of a Messiah of the Light... and a female one-that was a surprise! Zabulon was fighting against it, but...

but not by creating an Antichrist in the flesh... that had only been a diversionary maneuver, one in which Edgar had behaved like a naive child.

But then what was the most important thing?

"The Inquisition now moves on to the consideration of the most important matter of the day, which is of exceptional importance for the Light and the Darkness," said Witezslav, as if he were answering the question that Edgar hadn't asked. "The case of Igor Teplov, a third-level magician of the Moscow Night Watch. Is everyone familiar with the materials of the case?"

n.o.body said anything. Everybody had been familiar with the materials for a long time...

"I offer the prosecuting counsel, Anton Gorodetsky, the floor."

The Light One was standing opposite Edgar. He raised his head and nodded curtly to Witezslav.

"I shall be brief. In essence, our charges are simple-we accuse the respected magician Zabulon, here present, of deliberately sending Alisa Donnikova to the Artek camp, knowing that Igor Teplov would be there, restoring his powers. Zabulon had probably read the reality lines and realized that for Igor and Alisa those conditions would immediately lead to... to love between them. A tragic and hopeless love, since the young people served different powers. A love that would end in a duel which would lead to the death of either Igor or Alisa, while the surviving opponent would be condemned by the Inquisition. We accuse Zabulon of the deliberate and cynical elimination...

attempted elimination... of the Moscow Night Watch agent Igor Teplov. We therefore request the Inquisition to withdraw the charge brought against Igor Teplov of violating the Treaty and murdering Alisa Donnikova."

"Is that all?" Witezslav asked after a pause.

"No. We also request the court to consider the matter of the death of a young boy who was not an Other, as a result of the duel. Insofar as the duel was arranged by Zabulon..."

"Objection," Zabulon exclaimed in a squeaky voice.

"Objection sustained," the vampire ruled.

"Since we believe the duel to have been arranged by Zabulon, he is also guilty of the boy's death, for which Igor Teplov cannot be blamed. That is all."

Witezslav turned his head to look at Zabulon. "Can you reply to the essence of the matter?"

"There will be no answerI have already explained the reason," Zabulon replied coolly.

"I offer the floor to the counsel for the defense."

Edgar sighed and began. "My colleague's speculations are all highly diverting. We are witnessing an attempt to shield a criminal..."

"Objection!" Anton put in quickly.

"To shield the accused," said Edgar, correcting himself. "Igor Teplov is guilty of the murder of the young witch Alisa Donnikova. And the worst thing about it is that he loved her with all his heart. And worse again, in the grip of his maniacal pa.s.sion, Igor Teplov incidentally caused the death of the boy Makar Kanevsky. He killed a child.

A human child, who also had a right to live. And there is more. As a result of his extensive gathering of Power from children on vacation at Artek, seven of them suffered from nightmares for three months. Two cases of persistent incontinence were recorded. Nine-year-old Yurik Semetsky, a resident of Moscow, died of asphyxiation a month after returning from Artek, when he drowned in his bath. We do not know as yet if this was a result of the actions of Igor Teplov... the Light magician Igor Teplov."

He looked at the accused. Igor's face was stony. Impervious. Expressionless.

"The Light Ones can put forward their groundless accusations as long as they wish," said Edgar. "Without any proof, without even any cogent explanation as to why the Day Watch of Moscow would sacrifice a young and promising member of its staff who had already received several commendations from the head of the Watch, in order to eliminate a third-level Light magician who possesses no real talent... That is a matter for their consciences. We only request the Inquisition to consider the situation impartially and punish the guilty party for violation of the Treaty."

Edgar took a breath and added the final, decisive phrase: "We have heard a lot said about how Light magicians who commit some ethically unjustifiable act dematerialize themselves voluntarily. They withdraw into the Twilight under the burden of their shame... We have all heard a lot about this. But I, for instance, have never actually seen it. No doubt Igor Teplov regards the murder of a girl who was in love with him, and likewise the death and suffering of innocent human children, as ethically irreproachable actions."

He stopped speaking.

The Inquisitors exchanged glances. Then Witezslav asked, "Do the parties to the case have any proof that their a.s.sertions are correct?"

Gesar said nothing, but Zabulon asked in surprise, "Pardon me, but what proof can I offer that I'm not a camel?

Let those who have uttered such nonsense attempt to prove it."

"The Inquisition has heard the opinions of the two sides," said the vampire. "Accused, do you have anything to add?"

Igor Teplov nodded. "Yes. I admit that my actions were not entirely justified... and I profoundly regret their consequences. I... I had..." He broke off, then started talking more quickly. "I had very strong feelings for Alisa Donnikova. But when I learned she was a Dark witch, it affected the balance of my mind. I do not ask for clemency. I have already condemned myself. But..."

He turned sharply toward Zabulon.

"You are the murderer! You sent Alisa to her death. And that is why I have to stay alive... I have to, so that you will not profit from your villainy."

Zabulon merely shrugged and gave a heavy sigh.

"Do you have any proof?" the vampire asked.

Igor shook his head.

"The Tribunal is aware of the significance of this case," said Witezslav. "Although neither side has adduced any evidence, the Inquisition considers it important to determine who is the real guilty party. Therefore..."

Edgar suddenly saw Zabulon's expression change: His face froze halfway through a sad smile.

"Therefore the Inquisition will continue to question witnesses. Alisa Donnikova will be temporarily rematerialized."

"Objection!" said Zabulon, rising to his feet. "This case is not important enough to disturb the peace of the departed!"

"Objection overruled. The Inquisition requests Anna Lemesheva, who has come here on the Inquisition's instructions, to advance to the center of the hall. Her body will be used for the temporary rematerialization of Alisa Donnikova."

Lemesheva began to squeal. But a moment later two young Inquisitors were already leading her, twitching feebly, out into the center of the hall.

"The expenditure of energy in this process will be borne by the Night Watch of Moscow and it will not be refunded no matter what the outcome of the trial," Witezslav continued. "Great Magician Gesar, do you possess the required reserves of Power?"

"Yes," said Gesar, getting to his feet, "I do."

Edgar felt he was completely losing the thread of events. What was so important about this Igor Teplov that Zabulon would sacrifice his lover for him and Gesar would expend such a colossal amount of Power?

"Proceed with the rematerialization," said Witezslav. "Any attempt to hinder it is punishable by immediate death."

Several of the Inquisitors moved forward slightly, and Gesar sighed and stepped toward Lemesheva. She squealed again, and then fell silent, staring at the Light magician with glazed eyes.

And then Edgar had to squeeze his own eyes shut.

There was such a colossal amount of energy raging in the cen-ter of the hall that he simply couldn't look. He sensed the Inquisitors erecting magical barriers around Gesar and Lemesheva, one after another. He sensed the barriers crumbling under the pressure of unimaginable Power. And he felt the Twilight shudder as it was torn open through all the layers that Edgar knew and those he had never even suspected existed. If this was temporary rematerialization, then what must a permanent rematerialization be like?

The storm died away. Gesar slowly stepped backward.

There were three figures left in the center of the hall-the Inquisitor Witezslav, the Light magician Igor Teplov, and the Dark witch Alisa Donnikova.

Alisa was trembling, coughing, and clutching at her throat.

Edgar shuddered. He didn't know what happened to Others there... in the Twilight. And he didn't really want to know, to be quite honest. But Alisa had just recovered consciousness at the moment when her human life had come to an end. She had come back to life with a searing pain in her lungs, still choking on seawater, struggling desperately with the pressure that Teplov had brought down on her.

"Alisa Donnikova," the vampire began. Even his voice trembled-temporary rematerialization was an infrequent procedure, very infrequent... "You have been temporarily rematerialized and are now in the premises of the European Tribunal of the Inquisition in Prague. Do you understand me?"

Alisa Donnikova straightened up, already controlling her wheezing. She was looking at Igor Teplov. And n.o.body else.

"Do you understand me?" Witezslav repeated.

"Why... in Prague?" Alisa asked. She was taking rapid, deep breaths, as if she simply couldn't get enough air-even the damp air in this dungeon.

"That is not important, Alisa Donnikova. You have been summoned to our world as a witness. A great deal depends on what you say."

"Can... can I stay here? Again? Forever?" Alisa asked.

But she was only looking at Igor.

"No," the Inquisitor replied honestly. "Will you answer my questions voluntarily?"

Alisa tossed her head to and fro, with a strange, desperate pride. "Yes, I will, Inquisitor. Ask."

But she was only looking at Igor.

"The questions concern your duel with the Light magician Igor Teplov, here present. Was the challenge to the duel made in accordance with all the rules?"

"Yes."

"Tell me, Alisa, do you accuse Igor Teplov of your death?"

Alisa smiled. She gestured with her hand-without turning around, but unerringly indicating Zabulon. "No."

She was only looking at Igor.

"Do you have any charges to bring against your... opponent?"

She only shook her head.

"Alisa Donnikova, can you accuse anybody who is present here of provoking the sad events that led to your death?"

"Zabulon," Alisa said in an absolutely indifferent voice. "It was his operation."

"You cowardly fool!" Zabulon shouted. "They won't rematerialize you anyway! What are you doing, witch?"

It was only then that Alisa Donnikova turned toward Zabulon. Under her gaze the leader of the Dark Ones fell silent.

"Zabulon, have you forgotten what you said to me when I appealed to you as I was drowning?"

"Stupid, vengeful little fool," Zabulon said in a calmer voice.

Alisa shook her head. She looked at Igor again and said in a strange, mocking tone of voice, "What has vengeance got to do with it... Love is also a great power, Zabulon."

"The Inquisition has no further questions," Witezslav said quickly. "Gentlemen... I think to continue with this scene... would be unworthy of Others. The charge against Igor Teplov of violating the Treaty is dismissed. Alisa Donnikova can... can go back now."

Edgar seemed to be watching in a dream as Gesar got to his feet. The triumphant, victorious Gesar, with Zabulon hunched over on his bench... the defeated Zabulon.

It was only when the faces of the Great Magicians suddenly trembled in surprise and confusion that he looked back at the center of the hall.

Alisa Donnikova was disappearing. Her body was changing, sinking into the Twilight as a pale, insubstantial shadow. Lemesheva was crawling on all fours toward Zabulon's feet.

But Igor Teplov was also disappearing.

Withdrawing into the Twilight.

Edgar hadn't lied. This really was the first time he had ever seen a Light magician dematerialize. Voluntarily.

Without any fighting or screaming or streams of Power.

Just for one moment Igor Teplov, already transformed into an almost insubstantial shadow, turned to glance at his comrades. With a glance that looked guilty. But apart from that, he only looked at Alisa.

Then he disappeared.

The Twilight closed up. The air in the hall was icy, there was white, bristling h.o.a.rfrost clinging to the walls like a shroud of mourning. The triumphant smile was slowly returning to Zabulon's face. Gesar was looking at the empty circular grille with a weary, sad expression.

"Well?" Zabulon shouted. "Well? You see? Now where's your mentor? Where is he, the only one who was capable of educating the Messiah of the Light?"

He laughed and patted Lemesheva's head-she was standing on her knees in front of him. Then he turned to the Inquisition and said, "Yes, it was a Day Watch operation. Within the limits of the Treaty. The exchange of two equal pieces-Alisa Donnikova for Igor Teplov. Do you have any more charges to bring against us?"

"The Inquisition has no charges to bring against you..." the vampire said slowly. He rubbed his face with his hand.

"In view of all the circ.u.mstances... The Inquisition will consider the question of the early restoration of Svetlana Nazarova's Power.

But that... will be later. Everyone... everyone may leave the hall."

Svetlana was the first to get up from her seat. She walked up to Zabulon and stood for a second, looking into his face. Edgar suddenly realized with a sinking heart that the enchantress was going to hit the magician.

But all she did was say something to him, then turn away and walk out abruptly.

Edgar's legs felt stiff and awkward as he left his desk. He almost b.u.mped into Gesar, who was musing sadly, engrossed in his own thoughts. Anton immediately came up to Gesar, pushing Edgar aside. He exclaimed, "So what does this mean... Svetlana's daughter can be an Other, but not grow up to be the Messiah of the Light?"