"Anthony Piers - Incarnations Of Immortality 6 - For Love Of Evil" - читать интересную книгу автора (Anthony Piers)

Parry closed and barred me door against the wind. It was
of stout oak, and chinked around me edges, but some drafts
still leaked through. He went quietly to his pantry, which was
a niche to the side, separated by a dark linen curtain. He brought
out a loaf of bread, a cup of butter, and a jar of blackberry
jam. He set these on a tray and added a pitcher of goat milk
and a knife and two mugs. He brought these to the main
chamber and set them on me wooden table.

"I have food," he said.

Jolie tore her rapt gaze from the fire and turned to him. For
a moment her eyes met his; then she turned away without
speaking.

"For you," he clarified, picking up the sharp knife.

She looked again—and screamed. She lurched to her feet
and ran for the door. She would have been out and away, but
me bar balked her.

"No, wait!" Parry cried, dropping me knife and hurrying
to join her. "I meant—"

Perceiving herself trapped, Jolie turned on him a stricken
countenance, then fainted.

He caught her as she fell. It was no ruse; her body slumped
in rag-doll fashion. He had to transfer his hold from her shoul-
ders to her midsection as she sagged. She was so light she
seemed indeed like a doll; there was little flesh on her bones.

He tried to walk her to a stool, but couldn't make it work.
Finally he picked her up and carried her. He eased her down
by me fireplace, propping her against the warm hearth wall,
then fetched pillows for comfort.




4 Piers Anthony

In a moment she recovered. Her eyes popped open, and she
glanced about like a snared bird.

"You are safe, Jolie," Parry said quickly. "You swooned,
but you are safe."

"The knife—"