Chapter Seven
Konrad gestured at the neat rows of bodies lying, waiting, upon their slabs of stone. ‘These are vehicles. Ready to be taken up at need, and used as necessary to commit whatever deeds they see fit.’ Like murdering all the residents of the Vasilescu family mansion; building its replica in snow; and hanging Eino Holt and his mother from the walls.
‘I agree with your first surmise,’ said Diana slowly. ‘But not, I think, your second.’
Anichka was shaking her head. ‘Dead flesh makes a poor vehicle for possession. It fails to respond the way it needs to, because it’s — well, because it is dead. Only live flesh can think and move and react. Ask the lamaeni.’
‘Correct,’ said Tasha. ‘If a lamaeni is separated from his or her body for too long, the flesh will deteriorate and die an
