[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

had not done before. Then he took her again. When it was over, she asked,
"What's gotten into you?" "I have a big surprise for you. A big surprise. I
know you'll love it. Can you sneak out without anyone knowing?" "Of course.
But why?" "That's the surprise. Will you do it? You won't be disappointed, I
promise." "I don't understand." "Just do it. Slip out a few minutes after I
leave. Meet me in the alley. I want to take you somewhere and show you
something. Be sure to wear the necklace." "What are you up to?" She seemed
amused, not suspicious. Good, Shed thought. He finished dressing. "No answers
now, darling. This will be the biggest surprise of your life. I don't want to
spoil it." He headed for the door. "Five minutes?" she called. "Don't make me
wait. I'm a bear when I have to wait. And don't forget the necklace." "I
won't, dear." Shed waited nearly fifteen minutes. He grew impatient, but was
certain greed would bring Sue out. The hook was set. She was playing with him.
"Marron?" Her voice was soft and musical. His heart twisted. How could he do
this? "Here, love." She came to him. He enfolded her in his arms. "Now, now.
Enough of that. I want my surprise. I can hardly wait." Shed took a deep
breath. Do it! he yelled inside. "I'll help you up." She turned. Now! But his
hands were made of lead. "Come on, Marron." He swung. Sue slammed into the
wagon, a mewl the only sound she made. He hit her again as she bounced back.
She sagged. He took a gag from the wagon, forced it into her mouth before she
could scream, then tied her hands quickly. She began kicking when he went for
her ankles. He kicked her back, nearly let anger carry him away. She quit
fighting. He finished binding her, then propped her on the wagon seat. In the
darkness they looked like man and wife about some late business. He did not
speak till they were across the Port. "You're probably wondering what's going
on, darling." Sue grunted. She was pale and frightened. He retrieved his
amulet. While he was at it, he stripped her of jewelry and valuables. "Sue, I
loved you. I really did. I would have done anything for you. When you kill a
love like that, you turn it into a big hatred." At least twenty leva worth of
jewelry, he guessed. How many men had she destroyed? "Working for Gilbert like
that. Trying to steal the Lily. Anything else I could have forgiven.
Anything." He talked all the way up the hill. It distracted her till the black
castle loomed so large it could no longer be overlooked. Then her eyes got
huge. She began to shake, to stink as she lost all control. "Yes, darling,"
Shed said, voice pleasantly rational, conversational. "Yes. The black castle.
You were going to deliver me to the mercy of your friends. You made a bet and
lost. Now I deliver you to mine." He halted, climbed down, went to the gate.
It opened immediately. The tall being met him, wringing spidery hands. "Good,"
it said. "Very good. Your partner never brought healthy game." Shed's guts
knotted. He wanted to change his mind. He only wanted to hurt and humiliate
Sue.... But it was too late. He could not turn back. "I'm sorry, Sue. You
shouldn't have done it. You and Gilbert. His turn will come. Marron Shed isn't
what everybody thinks." A whining noise came from behind Sue's gag. Shed
turned away. He had to get out. He faced the tall creature. It began counting
coins directly into his hand. As always, Shed did not barter. In fact, he did
not look at the money, just kept stuffing his pockets. His attention was on
the darkness behind the creature. More of its kind were back there, hissing,
jostling. Shed recognized the short one he'd dealt with once. The tall being
stopped counting. Absently, Shed put the coins into a pocket, returned to his
wagon. The things in shadow swept forward, seized Sue, began ripping her
clothing. One yanked the gag out of her mouth. Shed started packing his rig.
"For God's sake, Marron. Don't leave me." "It's done, woman. It's done." He
snapped his traces. "Back up, mules." She started screaming as he turned
toward the gate. He did not look. He did not want to know. "Keep moving,
mules." "Come again soon, Marron Shed," the tall creature called after him.
Chapter Twenty-Seven: JUNIPER: BANISHED
Page 54
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
The summons from Whisper caught me unprepared. It was too early for the daily
report. I'd barely finished breakfast. I knew it meant trouble. I was not
disappointed. The Taken prowled like a caged animal, radiating tension and
anger. I went inside by the numbers, stood at a perfect attention, giving no
excuse for the picking of nits-in case whatever it was was not my fault. She
ignored me for several minutes, working off energy. Then she seated herself,
stared at her hands thoughtfully. Her gaze rose. And she was in complete
control. She actually smiled. Had she been as beautiful as the Lady, that
smile would have melted granite. But she was what she was, a scarred old
campaigner, so a smile only ameliorated the grimness of her face. "How were
the men disposed last night?" she asked. Baffled, I responded, "Excuse me? You
mean their temper?" "Where were they stationed?" "Oh." That was properly
Elmo's province, but I knew better than to say so. The Taken do not tolerate
excuses, sound though they may be. "The three men on the ship south with
Bullock, looking for that man Asa." I worried about her having sent them. When
I do not understand the motives of the Taken, I get paranoid. "Five down in
the Buskin pretending to be foreign sailors. Three more down there watching [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]