"Christopher Pike - The Last Vampire 01 - The Last Vampire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pike Christopher)

My right foot lashes out. My heel catches him in the center of the breastbone. I hear the bones crack as
he topples backward onto the floor, his weapon still bolstered inside his coat. Although I moved toward
him in a horizontal position, I land smoothly on my feet. He sprawls on the floor at my feet beside his
overturned chair. Gasping for breath, blood pouring out of his mouth. I have crushed the walls of his
heart as well as the bones of his chest, and he is going to die. But not just yet. I kneel beside him and
gently put my hand on his head. Love often flows through me for my victims.

"Mike," I say gently. "You would not listen to me."

He is having trouble breathing. He drowns in his own blood--I hear it gurgling deep in his lungs--and I
am tempted to put my lips to his and suck it away for him. Such a temptation, to sate my thirst. Yet I
leave him alone.

'"Who?" he gasps at me.

I continue to stroke his head, "I told you the truth. I am a vampire. You never stood a chance against
me. It's not fair, but it is the way it is." I lean close to his mouth, whisper in his ear. "Now tell me the truth
and I will stop your pain. Who sent you after me?"

He stares at me with wide eyes. "Slim," he whispers.

"Who is Slim? A man?"

"Yes."

"Very good, Mike. How do you contact him?"

"No."

"Yes." I caress his cheek. "Where is this Slim?"

He begins to cry. The tears, the blood--they make a pitiful combination. His whole body trembles. "I
don't want to die," he moans. "My boy."

"Tell me about Slim and I will take care of your boy," I say. My nature is kind, deep inside. I could have
said if you don't tell me about Slim, I will find your dear boy and slowly peel off his skin. But Riley is in
too much pain to hear me, and I immediately regret, striking so swiftly, not slowly torturing the truth out
of him. I did tell him that I was impulsive when I'm angry, and it is true.

"Help me," he pleads, choking.

"I'm sorry. I can only kill, I cannot heal, and you are too badly hurt." I sit back on my heels' and glance
around the office. I see on the desktop a picture of Mr. Riley posed beside a handsome boy of
approximately eighteen. Removing my right hand from Mr. Riley, I reach for the picture and show it to
him. "Is this your son?" I ask innocently.

Terror consumes his features. "No!" he cries.

I lean close once more. "I am not going to hurt him. I only want this Slim. Where is he?"