JК
The Harlequin :: Гамильтон Лорел
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«But I don't.»
«I have until New Year's Day to give Jean-Claude my answer about the blood-oathing. He has been generous and patient, but there are those among the council that are neither of those things. I had hoped they would be proud of what I had accomplished. I thought it would please them, but I fear now that the council is not ready to see my brave new world of free will.»
«Free will is for humans, Malcolm. The preternatural community is about control.»
He stood again. «You have almost complete discretion on how the warrant is executed, Anita. Will you use some of that discretion to find the truth before you kill my followers?»
I stood up. «I can't guarantee anything.»
«I would not ask that. I ask only that you look for the truth before it is too late for Sally, and my other follower, whose name you will not even give me.» He sighed. «I have not sent Sally running out of town; why would I warn the other?»
«You came through the door knowing Sally was in trouble. I'm not helping you figure the other bad guy out.»
«It is a man, then?»
I just looked at him, glad that I could give full eye contact. It had always been so hard to do the tough stare back when I couldn't look a vamp in the eyes.
He straightened his shoulders as if only now aware that he was slumping. «You won't even give me that, will you? Please tell Jean-Claude what I have told you. I should have come to you immediately. I thought morals kept me from running to the very power structure I despise, but it wasn't morals, it was sin; the sin of pride. I hope that my pride has not cost more of my followers their lives.» He went for the door.
I called after him. «Malcolm.»
He turned.
«How big an emergency is this?»
«Big.»
«Will a couple of hours make a difference?»
He thought about it. «Perhaps; why do you ask?»
«I won't be seeing Jean-Claude tonight. I just wanted to know if I should call him, give him a heads-up.»
«Yes, by all means, give him his heads-up.» He frowned at me. «Why would you not see your master tonight, Anita? Aren't you living with him?»
«Actually, no. I stay over at his place about half the week, but I've got my own place still.»
«Will you be killing more of my kindred tonight?»
I shook my head.
«Then you will raise my other colder brethren.
«But I don't.»
«I have until New Year's Day to give Jean-Claude my answer about the blood-oathing. He has been generous and patient, but there are those among the council that are neither of those things. I had hoped they would be proud of what I had accomplished. I thought it would please them, but I fear now that the council is not ready to see my brave new world of free will.»
«Free will is for humans, Malcolm. The preternatural community is about control.»
He stood again. «You have almost complete discretion on how the warrant is executed, Anita. Will you use some of that discretion to find the truth before you kill my followers?»
I stood up. «I can't guarantee anything.»
«I would not ask that. I ask only that you look for the truth before it is too late for Sally, and my other follower, whose name you will not even give me.» He sighed. «I have not sent Sally running out of town; why would I warn the other?»
«You came through the door knowing Sally was in trouble. I'm not helping you figure the other bad guy out.»
«It is a man, then?»
I just looked at him, glad that I could give full eye contact. It had always been so hard to do the tough stare back when I couldn't look a vamp in the eyes.
He straightened his shoulders as if only now aware that he was slumping. «You won't even give me that, will you? Please tell Jean-Claude what I have told you. I should have come to you immediately. I thought morals kept me from running to the very power structure I despise, but it wasn't morals, it was sin; the sin of pride. I hope that my pride has not cost more of my followers their lives.» He went for the door.
I called after him. «Malcolm.»
He turned.
«How big an emergency is this?»
«Big.»
«Will a couple of hours make a difference?»
He thought about it. «Perhaps; why do you ask?»
«I won't be seeing Jean-Claude tonight. I just wanted to know if I should call him, give him a heads-up.»
«Yes, by all means, give him his heads-up.» He frowned at me. «Why would you not see your master tonight, Anita? Aren't you living with him?»
«Actually, no. I stay over at his place about half the week, but I've got my own place still.»
«Will you be killing more of my kindred tonight?»
I shook my head.
«Then you will raise my other colder brethren.