"Anthony, Piers - Incarnations 04 - Wielding A Red Sword" - читать интересную книгу автора (Anthony Piers)

because, even if you weren't, you're in love with Orb and
you wouldn't touch another woman if you thought there
was any chance at all you might one day touch her, be-
cause you know she's a one-man woman and expects the
same in return. So I'm safe with you, Mym. That's why."

Mym stood there, chagrined. Had it been so obvious?

She answered, not needing the question. "No, you hide
it well. But OrbЧwhat I can do to a man by showing my
body, she can do just by being herself. I'm dried fish;

she's caviar. So I knew what to look for."

She stepped toward the stage, bringing the python along
with her, but paused once more. "And you know, you
just might," she said, winked, and went on out.

If Pythia understood him that well, then perhaps she
also understood Orb. If she thought he had a chance . . .

He watched the dance and consummation, half-dazed.
But he snapped out of it as the python slithered back,
bearing its burden, because he had to get Pythia out before




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Wielding a Red Sword Piers Anthony

11

she suffocated. The trained snake opened its mouth,
which had been defanged, and Mym reached in and caught
the dancer's bare feet. He hauled, and the greased body
slid out. The skimpy dress had already dissolved away,
leaving nothing to impede the motion. Of course this
would never have worked with an ordinary python or a
fully clothed and ungreased woman, but that didn't mat-
ter; it was a decent show, and as long as it never played
twice at the same place, the seeming horror of it remained.

He got her clear and hosed her down, getting the acids
away. The salve combined with the acid, so that both were
neutralized, but, as long as she remained inside the snake,
more acids were forming, so it was important to get the
refuse off. After the hosing, he set her up, took a clean
cloth to her face, cleaned her closed eyes and mouth care-