"Gray, Julia - Guardian 01 - The Dark Moon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gray Julia)

'More unfinished business?' Terrel guessed.
Coming to terms with the change, Alyssa agreed. That's why you can see them more clearly.
'Can they see us? he asked. So far the ghosts had ignored his presence completely.
If they choose to.
Terrel looked at Elam again, and was enveloped by a sudden longing to talk to his friend, to tell him all the things he had been unable to say in life ... to tell him he was sorry.
As if in answer to his unspoken plea, Elam looked up then and their eyes met.
Not much of a place you've got here, Elam commented. At least we had proper beds at the haven.
Tears sprang into Terrel's eyes at the sound of another longed-for voice, one he thought had been lost for ever. But he smiled at the same time, thinking that this was just the sort of acerbic remark Elam would have made if he had still been alive. Then the guilt he felt returned in full measure, so that he almost choked on it. When he spoke it was barely more than a whisper.
I'm sorry. I never meant-'
The funny thing is, Elam cut in, speaking with uncharacteristic calm, I was going to die anyway. It seems that the fall from the observatory roof did something inside my head. They explained it to me, but I didn't really pay much attention. But as it turned out, Aylor did me a favour. At least that way it was quick. He paused, spectral eyes twinkling. And it forced you to do something for a change. I almost died laughing when Ahmeza stuffed you in that apple barrel. Realizing what he had said, he grinned.
'You saw that?' Terrel exclaimed.
I was wandering round the haven for a bit, Elam replied. I even met Sevin! He's really peculiar, even for a ghost, so it's no wonder he and Alyssa got on so well.
I heard that, Alyssa warned him.
Throughout the conversation the owl had been perched on the same rafter, remaining quite still, but now she flexed her talons.
Whoops! Elam said in a stage whisper. Mustn't annoy the bird-girl. She has friends in high places. He did not sound particularly worried, however, and before Terrel could ask him about Alyssa's 'friends', he went on with a question of his own. What made you go to the island? That place still gives me the creeps.
'I knew no one would look for me there,' Terrel replied.
You're not as daft as you look, are you, Elam remarked approvingly. I've got the feeling we're going to have some more adventures together, after all.
Abruptly, before Terrel even had time to respond, Elam vanished. Shahan and Muzeni were gone in the same instant, leaving Terrel breathless and wide-eyed. Only the owl remained.
'Where did they go?' he asked, not sure whether he ought to be disappointed or relieved.
They walk differently, Alyssa told him. We'd have been here earlier otherwise. I must go too.
'No!' Terrel cried urgently.
She needs her wings back.
'Why don't you come in your own shape?' he asked, overcome with longing to see her again.
Because I'm not dead yet! Alyssa replied indignantly.
That silenced Terrel. He knew she would go soon whatever he said now.
Farewell, Terrel. I will return. I have your ring, remember?
'Farewell, Alyssa,' he said softly.
The owl left her perch and swooped out of the open end of the barn. As Terrel watched her go, flying on silent wings into the night, he felt as though his heart was being torn in half. Then, knowing that the wonders of the night were over, he lay down again and tried, in vain, to go to sleep. Below him the sounds of the night returned as the small creatures who inhabited the barn resumed their nocturnal activities.
Jehar crouched in the darkness, keeping quite still for a while, then crept into the yard. Now that he was outside, he found that he was trembling so badly he could hardly walk.
Roused in the night by his own disturbing suspicions, he had come to the barn and had heard Terrel talking to a bird. The owl had replied in the wavering calls of its own kind, but the boy had somehow seemed to understand it. There had been something else too, something half seen, hidden within the patches of moonlight that mottled the hayloft, but Jehar had no idea what it might have been. Nor did he want to know.
He was sure now of only one thing. His family had given sanctuary to a sorcerer.

Chapter Nineteen

'Terrel. Terrel! Wake up. You've got to get away.'
Someone was shaking his shoulder and whispering urgently. He felt as if he'd only been asleep for a few moments, but in spite of his confusion at being roused again, he knew that the voice was real this time - and that it was not Alyssa's.
'Sarafia?' he mumbled. 'What is it?'
'Jehar's gone crazy,' she exclaimed. 'He said he heard you talking to an owl!'
Terrel's heart sank as he realized he'd been overheard, and he saw now that Sarafia was genuinely worried.
'He was shouting so loud it woke everyone up,' she went on breathlessly. 'I could hear everything through the wall! Ferrand calmed him down, and sent Vizquel to Mandia to fetch the underseer. If they wait for him you'll have plenty of time, but I'm not sure Jehar's going to leave it that long. I've never seen him so angry. Magana even gave him some apple brandy - and they only get that out at the moon festivals - but I think it might have made things worse. He was yelling about killing you. You must get away.'
This was all too much for Terrel. On top of everything else that had happened that night, this latest development threatened to overwhelm him. He felt paralyzed, unable to move or even think.
'Come on,' Sarafia urged. 'Get up.'
'I've got almost no clothes on,' he objected, knowing that he was being ridiculous, but unable to stop himself. He had had no thoughts of modesty in front of Alyssa or the ghosts, but now, with a real girl beside him, it seemed important.
Sarafia let out a groan of disbelief.
I'll get down then,' she said, 'but hurry.'
She disappeared from sight as she climbed down the ladder, and Terrel pulled on his clothes. The special boot took time as always, his fingers fumbling with the laces. Why am I doing this? he thought. Why don't I just explain? But he knew that Sarafia was right. He had to get away, at least until Jehar had calmed down.
'Hurry up!' Sarafia called softly from below. 'I can hear them shouting again.'
By the time Terrel had half climbed, half slid down the ladder, he could hear them too, but was unable to make out what they were saying.
'This way,' Sarafia said, taking his arm and almost dragging him towards a side door.
They went out into the night, skirting round behind the goat pens and the slurry pit, then climbed over the gate that led to the lane the cows used every day. Terrel had begun to unlatch it, but Sarafia stopped him, knowing that its hinges squeaked - and it was this more than anything that brought home to Terrel just how frightened she was.