"Simon R. Green - Deathstalker - 1 - Deathstalker" - читать интересную книгу автора (Green Simon R)

stupidly at the energy weapon in her hand, and then old trained reflexes kicked in,

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and he threw himself out of his bed as Cathy fired. He hit the floor rolling, still
wrapped in his sheets. The bed exploded into flames behind him. Cathy cursed
briefly, put away the gun and drew a long knife from inside the dressing gown.
Owen wondered briefly what the hell else she had hidden in there, and then
lurched to his feet, tearing the enveloping sheets away from him. He had two
minutes until the gun's energy crystal recharged. He backed away as she advanced
on him with the knife and looked desperately around him for some kind of
weapon. Cathy's face was calm but determined, as though she was working on
some minor puzzle whose solution for the moment escaped her.

"Cathy, I really think we need to talk about this."

"Too late for talk, Owen."

"If this is some kind of joke, I don't find it in the least bit funny."

"No joke, Owen. I'm canceling our contract. The escape clause is a bit of a
bastard, but that's life for you. Or rather, death. Don't struggle and I'll make it
quick."

"Whatever they're paying, I'll double it."

"You can't buy yourself out of trouble this time, dear. Now stand still and let me
do what I have to. At least have the decency to die with dignity."

Owen realized he'd ended up back by the burning bed and winced away from the
leaping flames. He drew himself up to his full height and glared at his mistress.
His nakedness rather distracted from the effect. "Cathy, you don't really think you
can beat me in a fight, do you? I am the Deathstalker, after all."

"And I was trained in the House of Joy. They teach us all kinds of things there.
You'd be surprised. We're both a little out of shape, but you've really let yourself
go, Owen. If the knife doesn't get you, me gun will, once it's recharged. Say
goodbye, dear. It's been fun; let's not spoil it."

She lunged forward gracefully while she was still talking, the long knife reaching

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for his heart. Owen side-stepped at the last moment, and the edge of the knife
grated across his ribs as Cathy sailed past him. She recovered her balance in a
moment and turned to face him again. Owen noted disgustedly that she wasn't