JК
The Harlequin :: Гамильтон Лорел
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«But it's something that the council could have sent to kill Malcolm and destroy his church?»
«I cannot answer your questions.»
«Won't, you mean.»
« Non, ma petite , cannot. Has it not occurred to you that this could be a ploy of our enemies to give them an excuse under vampire law to destroy us?»
I suddenly felt cold. «No, it hadn't occurred to me.»
«Think upon it, ma petite .»
«You mean, they send something, so that if you tell me about it, then it, or they, can kill us. You think someone on the council is counting on the fact that we're so tightly bound metaphysically that you can't keep a secret this big from me. And if I find out, it won't just be Malcolm that they'll kill, but us, too.»
«It is a thought, ma petite ?»
«A very twisty-turny, underhanded thought.»
«Vampires are a very twisty-turny lot, ma petite . As for underhanded, they would think of it as clever.»
«They can think what they like, but it's a coward's way.»
«Oh, no, ma petite , we do not want anyone on the council to put their full attention in a challenge to me. That would also be a very bad thing.»
«So, what? I meet Nathaniel for our date, and I pretend we haven't had this talk?»
«Something like that, yes.»
«I can't pretend that I don't know something big and bad has come to town.»
«If it is not hunting us, be grateful, and do not pick at it. I beg you, Anita, for the sake of all you love, do not seek an answer to this riddle.» He'd called me by my real name; it was a bad sign.
«I can't just pretend nothing is happening, Jean-Claude. Aren't you even going to tell me to be more careful than normal?»
«You are always careful, ma petite . I never worry that any bad thing will catch you unaware. It is one of your charms for me that you can take care of yourself.»
«Even against something bad enough to scare you and Malcolm this badly.»
«I trust you, ma petite . Do you trust me?»
That was a loaded question, but finally I said, «Yeah.»
«You do not sound certain.»
«I trust you, but… I don't like secrets, and I do not trust the council. And I have a warrant of execution on a vamp who is probably innocent. I've got a second warrant coming by tomorrow. They are both members of the Church of Eternal Life. I may not agree with Malcolm's philosophy, but his members usually stay away from killing offenses. If I get a warrant of execution for a third member of Malcolm's church this week, then it's a frame. The law, as written, doesn't give me much wiggle room, Jean-Claude.
«But it's something that the council could have sent to kill Malcolm and destroy his church?»
«I cannot answer your questions.»
«Won't, you mean.»
« Non, ma petite , cannot. Has it not occurred to you that this could be a ploy of our enemies to give them an excuse under vampire law to destroy us?»
I suddenly felt cold. «No, it hadn't occurred to me.»
«Think upon it, ma petite .»
«You mean, they send something, so that if you tell me about it, then it, or they, can kill us. You think someone on the council is counting on the fact that we're so tightly bound metaphysically that you can't keep a secret this big from me. And if I find out, it won't just be Malcolm that they'll kill, but us, too.»
«It is a thought, ma petite ?»
«A very twisty-turny, underhanded thought.»
«Vampires are a very twisty-turny lot, ma petite . As for underhanded, they would think of it as clever.»
«They can think what they like, but it's a coward's way.»
«Oh, no, ma petite , we do not want anyone on the council to put their full attention in a challenge to me. That would also be a very bad thing.»
«So, what? I meet Nathaniel for our date, and I pretend we haven't had this talk?»
«Something like that, yes.»
«I can't pretend that I don't know something big and bad has come to town.»
«If it is not hunting us, be grateful, and do not pick at it. I beg you, Anita, for the sake of all you love, do not seek an answer to this riddle.» He'd called me by my real name; it was a bad sign.
«I can't just pretend nothing is happening, Jean-Claude. Aren't you even going to tell me to be more careful than normal?»
«You are always careful, ma petite . I never worry that any bad thing will catch you unaware. It is one of your charms for me that you can take care of yourself.»
«Even against something bad enough to scare you and Malcolm this badly.»
«I trust you, ma petite . Do you trust me?»
That was a loaded question, but finally I said, «Yeah.»
«You do not sound certain.»
«I trust you, but… I don't like secrets, and I do not trust the council. And I have a warrant of execution on a vamp who is probably innocent. I've got a second warrant coming by tomorrow. They are both members of the Church of Eternal Life. I may not agree with Malcolm's philosophy, but his members usually stay away from killing offenses. If I get a warrant of execution for a third member of Malcolm's church this week, then it's a frame. The law, as written, doesn't give me much wiggle room, Jean-Claude.