"Jack Williamson - The Legion of Time" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williamson Jack)

"Lethonee!" She spat the name. "So that slut of Jonbar has found you?"

Lanning flushed with anger, and his fingers drew hard on the rail. He remembered the cold glint of an answering hate in
the eyes of Lethonee, and her stern statement, "Sorainya must be destroyed."

"So you are angry, Denny Lanning?" Her laugh was a mocking chime. "Angry, because of a shadow? For Lethonee is
but a phantom, seeking with lies and tricks to live—at the cost of other lives. Perhaps you have discovered that?"

Lanning shuddered, and wet his lips.

"It's true," he whispered. "She caused Barry's death."

The scorn had fallen like a mask from Sorainya's face. Now she tossed her splendid head, and pushed back the
tumbled glory of her hah*. The sea-green eyes danced an invitation, and she smiled.
"Lethonee is no more than a spectre of possibility." Her tone was a suave caress. "She is less than a single speck of
dust, less than a shadow on the wall. Let's forget her, Denny Lanning! Shall we?"

Lanning gulped, and a tremor shook him.

"But I am real, Denny." Her bare arms opened, beckoning. "And I have come for you, to take you with me back to
Gyronchi. That is a mighty empire, more splendid than the pallid dream of Jonbar. And I am its mistress.**

She stood up with one flowing movement, tall and regal in the scarlet mail. Her bare arms reached out, to help Lanning
to the golden shell. Her cool green eyes were shining with intoxicating promise.

"Come, Denny Lanning. To rule with me in Gyronchi."

Lanning's hands gripped the rail until his knuckles cracked. His heart was pounding, and he drew a long shuddering
breath.

"Why?" His voice rapped harsh and cold. "Of all men, why have you come for me."

The shell drifted closer, and Sorainya smiled. "I have searched all space and time for you, Denny Lanning. For we are
the twain of destiny. Fate has given us the keys to power. Together on the golden throne of Gyronchi, we can never
fail. Cornel"
18 The Legion of Time

Lanning caught a sobbing breath.

"All right, beautiful," he gasped. "I don't know the game. But—you're on."

He climbed upon the rail, in the starlight, and reached out his hand to take Sorainya's.

"Denny—wait!" spoke an urgent voice beside him.

Lanning drew back instinctively, and saw Lethonee. A ghostly figure in her straight white robe, she was standing by
the rail, holding the great jewel of time between her hands. Her face was drawn, desperate.

"Remember, Denny!" her warning rang out. "Sorainya would destroy you."