‘Did he ever make mention of a remote ancestor, a man who – like himself – was involved in the occult?’
Her face tightened. ‘No.’
‘You seem quite certain of that, yet a moment ago you claimed that you couldn’t recall if he had ever talked about other relatives.’
‘I would have remembered something like that.’
‘Indeed, I believe you would.’ Korrogly crossed to the defense table. ‘Does the name Archiochus strike a chord in your memory?’
Mirielle sat motionless, her eyes widened slightly.
‘Should I repeat the question?’
‘No, I heard it . . . I was trying to think.’
‘And have you finished thinking?’
‘Yes, I’ve heard the name.’
‘And who might this Archiochus be?’
‘A wizard, I believe.’
‘A wizard of some accomplishment, was he not? One who lived some time ago . . . thousands of years?’
‘I think so.’ Mirielle seemed to be mulling something over. ‘Yes, I remember now. Mardo considered him his spiritual father. He wasn’t an actual relation . . . at least I don’t think he was.’
‘And that is the extent of your knowledge concerning him?’
‘It’s all I can remember.’
‘Odd,’ said Korrogly, toying with the lid of his briefcase. ‘Let’s return to the ceremony on the night Zemaille was killed. Did this have anything to do with Archiochus?’
‘It may have.’
‘But you’re not sure?’
‘No.’
‘Your father has testified that Zemaille cried out to his father at one point, saying, “Soon you will be free!” Might he not have been referring at that moment to his spiritual father?’
‘Yes.’ Mirielle sat up straight, adopting an earnest expression as if she wanted to be helpful. ‘Now that you mention it, it’s possible he was trying to contact Archiochus. Mardo believed in the spirit world. He would often hold seances.’
‘Then you’re suggesting that the ceremony in question was something on the order of a seance?’
‘It could have been.’
‘To contact the soul of Archiochus?’
‘It’s possible.’
‘Are you certain, Miss Lemos, that you know nothing more about this Archiochus? For instance, did he have anything to do with Griaule?’
‘I . . . maybe.’
‘Maybe,’ said Korrogly bemusedly. ‘Maybe. I believe he had quite a bit to do with Griaule. As a matter of fact, was it not the wizard Archiochus, the man with whom Zemaille felt a spiritual – if not an actual – kinship, who thousands of years ago did battle with the dragon Griaule?’
Babble erupted from the onlookers, and Wymer gaveled them to silence.
Korrogly said to Mirielle, ‘Well?’
‘Yes,’ she said, ‘I believe it was he. I’d forgotten.’
‘Of course,’ said Korrogly. ‘Your flawed memory again.’ He engaged the jury’s eyes and smiled. ‘According to legend, just as Griaule lies dormant, so that same fate struck the wizard who stilled him . . . have you ever heard that?’
‘Yes.’
‘Had Mardo?’
‘I believe so.’
‘So then Mardo believed that this powerful wizard was yet alive? Moribund, but alive?’
‘Yes.’
‘Let’s talk about the work for a moment. Not the great work, just the ordinary run-of-the-mill work. Is it true that you took part in sexual rituals with Zemaille in that same room where he died?’
The vein in her temple pulsed.
‘Yes.’
‘And these rituals involved intercourse with Zemaille?’
‘Yes!’
‘And others?’
Mervale stood at the prosecution table. ‘Your Honor, I see no point in this line.’
‘Nor do I,’ said Wymer.
‘But there is a point,’ said Korrogly, ‘one I will shortly make plain.’
‘Very well,’ said Wymer impatiently. ‘But be succinct. The witness will answer.’
‘What was the question?’ Mirielle asked.
‘Did you participate in sex with others aside from Zemaille for ritual purposes?’ said Korrogly.
‘Yes.’
‘Why? What use did this wantonness serve?’
‘Objection.’
‘I’ll rephrase.’ Korrogly leaned against the defense table. ‘Did sex have a specific function in these rituals?’
‘I suppose . . . yes.’
‘And what was it?’
‘I’m not sure.’
Korrogly opened his briefcase, using the lid to hide the diary inside it from Mirielle’s eyes; he opened the little book. ‘Was it to prepare the flesh?’
Mirielle stiffened.
‘Shall I repeat the question?’
‘No, I . . .’
‘What does that mean, Miss Lemos . . . “to prepare the flesh”?’
She shook her head. ‘Mardo knew . . . I was never clear on it.’
‘Did you practice any sort of birth control prior to these rituals? Did you for instance drink some infusion of roots and herbs, or in other way attempt to prevent yourself from becoming pregnant?’
‘Yes.’
‘Yet on the night Zemaille died, you used no birth control.’
Mirielle came to her feet. ‘How do you . . .’ She bit her lip and sat back down.
‘I believe that night was considered by Zemaille to be the anniversary of the battle between Griaule and Archiochus, was it not?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘I will introduce evidence,’ said Korrogly addressing the bench, ‘to show that this was indeed Zemaille’s opinion.’ He turned again to Mirielle. ‘Was it your intent on that night to become pregnant?’
She sat mute.
‘Answer the question, Miss Lemos,’ said Judge Wymer.
‘Yes,’ she whispered.
‘Why of all the nights did you hope to become pregnant on that one? Was it because you were hoping for a specific sort of child?’
She stared hatefully at him.
