"John Meaney - Sanctification (2)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Meaney John)

the first move towards friendship. She was content to study, to know
the
joy of it which was deeper than she had imagined possible, and to sleep
alone in a comfortable bed and know she would not be bothered during
the
night.
On the next day she had her lessons with a group of other girls, but
they
were too busy with individual tasks for socializing. By monastery
rules,
lunch breaks were a silent affair. That night, though, a girl came over
to
stand by Zenshara as she was readying herself for bed. At last, thought
Zenshara. Some companionship in this place.
"Here, girl." A pair of shoes was thrust beneath Zenshara's nose.
"Clean
these immediately." A giggle sounded from the far end of the dormitory.
Zenshara reached slowly for the shoes as she had been bidden. As she
took
hold of the shoes, her hand also closed upon that of the other girl.
"When you've finished with your servant, Lucinda," said a voice nearby,
"could I borrow her? My floor-space is unacceptably dirty."
So this was Lucinda. Zenshara's grip tightened and she pulled the girl
forwards. Quick as a pouncing cat, she bit into the girl's hand,
clenching
her jaws until her muscles ached and the metallic taste of warm blood
spurted in her mouth, and Lucinda's screams could be heard even above
the
roaring in Zenshara's ears. Zenshara spat out blood as she pushed the
girl
away.
She looked around warily, ready for attack. The other girl who had
spoken
was already calling for the monitors from her bedside terminal. The
others
held back, faces pale. No-one seemed in any hurry to rush Zenshara.
Lucinda was hunched over, trembling with shock. Two of her friends came
over to comfort her, but they cast fearful glances at Zenshara all the
while.
The monitors were two boys who rushed into the room, but then stopped
and
held back as they saw that the incident was no longer in progress. The
elder and larger of the two took control, lifting up Lucinda and
carrying
her from the room.
As they left, the younger of the two boys turned to Zenshara and gave
her
an impudent wink. Zenshara was astounded.
She spent the rest of the nights, after lights out, sitting in the
lotus