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There was no trace ofmockery or sarcasm that she could see.
Well, Cady's changed into Aradia, Maiden of allthe witches, and I've changed
into the Deliverernot that I've been much good at it, she thought. But I think
maybe you've changed the most afterall, Jeanne
"You know, I don't even know your last name,"
she said to Jeanne, so abruptly and so much offthe subject that Jeanne reared
back a little.
"Uh-McCartney. It was-it is---McCartney." Sheadded, "I was fourteen when they
got me. I was at the mall playing Fist of Death at the arcade. And Iwent to go
to the bathroom, and it was down this long empty corridor, and the next thing
I knew Iwas waking up in a slave trader's cart. And now you know everything,"
she said.
Maggie put out a hand in the dimness, "Hi,Jeanne McCartney." She felt the
cold grip of slen der, callused fingers, and she shook Jeanne's hand.And then
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she just held on to it, and to Aradia's soft warm fingers on the other side.
The three of themsat together in the dark cell, slave, human, andwitch
Maiden-except that we're really all just girls,Maggie thought.
"You didn't tell me one thing," Maggie said suddenly. "What'd they callyou
when you started working here? What was your job?"
Jeanne snorted. "Second Assistant Stable Sweeper.And. now you knoweverything.
"
Maggie didn't think she could possibly sleep in aplace like this, but after
the three of them had sat quietly for a long time she found herself dozing.
And when the rattle of the dungeon door startledher, she realized that she'd
been asleep.
She had no idea what time it was-the flare wasburning low. She could feel
Aradia and Jeannecome awake beside her.
"Dinner?" Jeanne muttered.
"I just hope it's not PJ.-" Maggie began, and
then broke off as firm, determined steps sounded on the stone floor of the
corridor.
She recognized the stride and she stood up tomeet Delos.
He stood outside the cell, the dying torchlightflickering on his dark hair,
catching occasionalsparks off his golden eyes. He was alone.
And he didn't waste time getting to the point.
"I came to see if you've decided to be reasonable," he said.
"I've been reasonable from the beginning," Maggie said quietly and completely
seriously. She wassearching his face and the slight link she felt between
their minds at this distance, hoping to findsome change in him. But although
she felt turmoilthat was almost anguish, she also felt the steel ofhis
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resolve.
I won't let you be killed. Nothing else matters.
Maggie felt her shoulders sag.
She turned slightly. Aradia and Jeanne were stillsitting on the bench, Aradia
motionless, Jeannecoiled and wary. But she could tell that they bothfelt this
was her fight.
And they're right. If I can't do it, nobody can...Buthow?
"They're people," she said, gesturing toward theother girls, but watching
Delos's face. "I don't knowhow to get you to see that. They matter, too."
He hardly glanced back at them. "In the time ofdarkness that is coming," he
said, as carefully as ifreciting a lesson, "only the Night People will
survive. The ancient forces of magic are rising. They'vebeen asleep for ten
thousand years, but they'rewaking up again."
A low voice, not belligerent, but not afraid either,came from the back of the
cell. "Some of us believethat humans can learn to live with magic."
"Some of you are idiots and fools and are goingto die," Delos said, without
even looking.
He stared at Maggie. She stared back at him.They were willing each other
ashard as possible to understand.
And I think he's got a stronger will, Maggiethought, as she broke the locked
gaze and looked away, thumping the heel of a clenched fist against her
forehead.
No. That's not right. I'm Steely Neely and I nevergive up.
If I tell him that some things are worth dyingfor...
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But I don't thinkhe'safraid to die. He's justafraid for me. And he just won't
listen if I say thatI'drather die than see some things happen. Butthat's the
truth. There are some things that you just can't allow to happen, whatever the
cost. There are some things that have just got to be stopped.
She froze, and the cell seemed to disappeararound her.
She was seeing, in her mind's eye, an equallydark and uncomfortable little
cart. And her ownvoice was saying,Jeanne. It's got to stop.
Feeling very light-headed, she turned toward thebench. "Jeanne? Come over
here."
Jeanne straightened and walked up doubtfully.She looked into Maggie's face. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]