"Anthony Piers - Incarnations Of Immortality 1 - On A Pale Horse [uc]" - читать интересную книгу автора (Anthony Piers)

I will sell it to you for a mere one cent per minute, in-
cluding principal, interest, servicing, insurance—"

"How much per month?" Zane demanded, seeing him-
self getting reeled in.

The proprietor brought out a pocket calculator and
punched buttons dexterously. "Four hundred and thirty-
two dollars."

Zane stiffened. He had anticipated a high price, but
this was impossible. A family could buy a good house for
a similar figure! "How long?"

"Only fifteen years or less."

"Or less?"

"In case the gem should miscarry, the insurance will
pay off the balance owing, of course."

"Of course," Zane agreed with a wry quirk of his mouth.
A miscarriage meant death, which meant a bum enchant-
ment. They planned to collect their money regardless of
the effectiveness of the Deathstone in protecting its owner.
He performed a quick mental calculation and concluded
he was being charged a little over seventy-five thousand
in total. About two-thirds of that would be interest and
other peripherals; still, it was a lot of money. A great lot!
More, probably, than his life was worth. Literally.

He handed back the ruby. Its color returned rapidly
as the proprietor took it. In moments its special, deep
shade of red glowed beautifully in the lighting of the shop.
A ruby was indeed a lovely gemstone, even when it wasn't
magic.

"What else?" Zane asked. He was shaken, but still
wanted to find something that would help him.

"Love," the proprietor said immediately, bringing out
a cloudy blue sapphire mounted on another gold ring.

Zane looked at the stone. "Love, as in romance? A
woman? Marriage?"

"Or whatever." The proprietor's smile was not quite
as warm as it had been, perhaps because of the misstep
on the prior stone. He did not enjoy seeing fish slip the
hook. This gem was probably less expensive, meaning a