"Robert Jordan - The Wheel of Time 09 - Winter's Heart" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jordan Robert)

“Answer me truthfully,” Saerin told her. “Are you of the
Black Ajah?”
“I am.” The words creaked, as if Talene’s throat were
rusty.
The simple words froze Seaine in a way she had never
expected. She had set out to hunt the Black Ajah, after all,
and believed in her quarry as many sisters did not. She had
laid hands on another sister, on a Sitter, had helped bundle
Talene along deserted basement hallways wrapped in flows of
Air, had broken a dozen Tower laws, committed serious crimes,
all to hear an answer she had been nearly certain of before
the question was asked. Now she had heard. The Black Ajah
really did exist. She was staring at a Black sister, a
Darkfriend who wore the shawl. And believing turned out to be
a pale shadow of confronting. Only her jaw clenched near to
cramping kept her teeth from chattering. She struggled to
compose herself, to think rationally. But nightmares were
awake and walking the Tower.
Someone exhaled heavily, and Seaine realized she was not the
only one who found her world turned upside down. Yukiri gave
herself a shake, then fixed her eyes on Talene as though
determined to hold the shield on her by willpower if need be.
Doesine was licking her lips, and smoothing her dark golden
skirts uncertainly. Only Saerin and Pevara appeared at ease.
“So,” Saerin said softly. Perhaps “faintly” was a better
word. “So. Black Ajah.” She drew a deep breath, and her
tone became brisk. “There’s no more need for that, Yukiri.
Talene, you won’t try to escape, or resist in any way. You
won’t so much as touch the Source without permission from one
of us. Though I suppose someone else will take this forward
once we hand you over. Yukiri?” The shield on Talene
dissipated, but the glow remained around Yukiri, as if she did
not trust the effect of the Rod on a Black sister.
Pevara frowned. “Before we give her to Elaida, Saerin, I
want to dig out as much as we can. Names, places, anything.
Everything she knows!” Darkfriends had killed Pevara’s entire
family, and Seaine was sure she would go into exile ready to
hunt down every last Black sister personally.
Still huddled on the Chair, Talene made a sound, half bitter
laugh, half weeping. “when you do that, we are all dead.
Dead! Elaida is Black Ajah!”
“That’s impossible!” Seaine burst out. “Elaida gave me the
order herself.”
“She must be,” Doesine half whispered. “Talene’s sworn the
oaths again; she just named her!” Yukiri nodded vehemently.
“Use your heads,” Pevara growled, shaking her own in
disgust. “You know as well as I do if you believe a lie, you
can say it for truth.”
“And that is truth,” Saerin said firmly. “What proof do you
have, Talene? Have you seen Elaida at your….meetings?” She