Raga Six (A Doctor Orient Occult Novel) by Frank Lauria

Berry," she grunted. One of the women who had put an envelope in front of the circle raised her hand. "Here," she called out timidly.  
    "You must sign—contract you asked—about—will bring wealth."  
      "Thank you, Isis," the woman said.  
      "Thank Astaroth." The voice was deeper, almost menacing.  
    The woman hesitated. "Yes. Thank you—Astaroth," she said.  
    Isis’s shoulders began to jerk. Gregory put his hand on her neck and the movement stopped. "Mr. Kramer," Isis rumbled. The man who had placed his request before the circle flushed and half-rose, somewhat startled at hearing his name being uttered by the straining girl.  
    "Wife—will speak." Isis fell silent. Her body shuddered and her arms began to move back toward to her body, crossing slowly over her breasts, fists still clenched. When she began to speak, her voice was no longer low and coarse; it was pitched very high now, coming out as a squeaky whisper. "Arthur? It’s Agnes here."  
    The man struggled to his feet. "Agnes? You’re not dead," he stammered.  
    "There is—no death—only the journey—" The words were somehow out of synchronization with Isis’s curled lips. "Must have faith."  
    "But the will, Agnes," the man said quickly, taking a step forward.  
    "Will—can be found in—the attic—my chest." The voice became louder. "Must have—faith, Arth—" Isis stopped and her arms thrust forward again. She began to rock back and forth on the table.  
    The man looked confused and started to speak, but before he could say anything, Isis opened her mouth and began to shriek.  
    As if the screams were a signal, Kali began to tremble uncontrollably. She fell to the floor growling, and working her jaws like an animal gnawing on fresh-killed bones.  
    Thor and the black boy were rolling on the floor near her, their arms and legs twitching.  
    The room was suddenly filled by static electricity, and Orient felt his hair rising. Everyone else in the room seemed frozen with fear, their faces blank and uncomprehending. Orient looked up and saw Gregory standing with his head thrown back, muttering a jumble of words and phrases. Isis began to weep hysterically, her breath coming in choppy, hiccupping sobs. Thin streams of liquid were running down her thighs. It took Orient a moment before he realized it was urine.  
    Isis uttered a long, weak wail and fell to the floor unconscious. A brief flash of blue flame illuminated the star above the table, and abruptly all the noise and movement in the room stopped.  
    For long seconds everything was suspended in stillness. Then Thor got to his feet and pulled the cord hanging against the wall. The linen curtains closed Gregory and Isis off from view.  
    Orient moved to help Kali, but she was already on her feet. There were large wet stains on her gown, and her face was pale and covered with perspiration.  
    "All right now?" Orient asked.  
    Kali nodded, and sighed luxuriously. "Fine. I love it when Gregory calls Astaroth. He fills my whole body."  
    Orient didn’t answer. From the excited murmur of conversation buzzing around the room, he knew that most of the people there shared Kall’s rush of physical enthusiasm. His own thoughts, however, were numbed with fear and depression.  
    The curtains parted and Gregory stepped into the room. "One of you here had a request unanswered," he said, "but Isis is too exhausted to continue the celebration. If you wish, we are available for private consultation. There will be another celebration of the universal power of Astaroth in two days. Thank you for coming."  
    Most of the participants started filing toward the door, but a few lingered to talk to Gregory.  
    "Later," Kali whispered. "I’m on duty at the door."  
    Orient edged closer to the group surrounding Gregory. He had underestimated him, Orient admitted ruefully; the boy was able to wield sizable amounts of occult energy.  
    "It was just the greatest thing I’ve ever seen," the man who