"Freda Warrington - A Taste of Blood Wine" - читать интересную книгу автора (Warrington Freda)

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A Taste


Leaving the bronze hills far below, he climbed the path to a colder,
wilder region. Overhead a vast range of mountains soared upwards,
purple-black and glossy; a paradox, solid yet insubstantial as
thunder-heads. A rich deep glow spilled down between them,
turning their walls to fire. Kristian ascended a floorless canyon,
light flowing violet and amber around him. The climb was not easy.
The substance of the Crystal Ring was viscous and treacherous to
his rarified limbs, now holding him like a fly in treacle, now giving
way beneath him so that he slid back. Ilona was beating his
shoulders and cursing him all the way.
At last he gained a mountain peak, and went dizzy at the sight of the
depthless void flowing away all around him. The atmosphere was
dense and cold, heaving like a sea. Even as he paused, the peak was
beginning to turn over on itself, threatening to carry him back down
to a valley. The next layer, a sapphire plain, seemed miles above
them; but through the semifluid air he could swim upwards, guided
by the glittering lines of magnetism.
"Damn you. Take me back," said Ilona. Her voice was faint and she
was no longer fighting but clinging to him.
As he forged upwards, he began to shiver. The Crystal Ring exacted
a toll of fatigue and cold from those who climbed too high. Even
Kristian was not immune to its danger.
He needed warmth. Although their bodies were different in this
realm there was still blood within them. He could feel the swell of
Ilona's veins as he pressed her to him. As they reached the plain, he
slid his fangs into her throat and sucked until the sluggish fluid
turned into a thin stream of fire on his tongue.

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A Taste



The strength it gave would be short-lived but it was fierce, almost
intoxicating. He drank to strengthen himself and weaken her.
When he finally lifted his head, he looked at her for the first time
since he had seized her. Her face was like a painting on dark glass
but her features, the personality burning behind the eyes, were
unchanged. Her eyes were fixed on his in disbelief, full of pain and
betrayal.
"Let me go." Desperation almost stole her voice. "No, you can't do
this to me."
Kristian felt a pang of pity. "It is only for a little while, my lamb, I
promise," he said. "Just until he comes back."
"You know he won't come back!"