"Guardino, Louise - 666 Upside Down" - читать интересную книгу автора (Guardino Louise)

The jogger looked at John. Except for his blond hair and glowing eyes, he was
darkness. His lips curved.
УToo late, John McIntyre. Why donТt you give it up?Ф The voice came as if at
his side, deep and without echo. The blond, it seemed, had also been doing
some investigation. Who was seeking whom? John shivered at the thought heТd
been under surveillance.
УAnd let you roam free? Never.Ф
УYouТre less than a mosquito. Shoo.Ф The blond waved him away.
A soft sound behind. John turned. A light glimmered for only a moment on the
porch of the house. The front door closed behind a slight figure. A boy. He
hesitated upon seeing them near the bottom of the drive, but then fixed his
glance on the blond and began trotting down the sloping drive.
John loped up to meet the boy. No more than eight, with the stench of innocent
blood still lingering about him.
УStay away from him, boy!Ф The blondТs voice boomed.
John looked at the boy. УWas it good?Ф
The child shrugged. УSТOkay. But theyТre getting to be the same. Know what I
mean?Ф
УI do,Ф said John. УItТs harder to have fun.Ф
УYou do know, donТt you?Ф said the boy, forgetting for a moment the words of
his mentor below.
УYes, I do,Ф said John, putting his hands on the boyТs shoulders then slipping
one hand beneath the boyТs chin and the other behind his head. He gave a quick
twist.
A puff of vapor popped from the boyТs mouth. The life-force drifted away.
УSheesh! Did you have to do that?Ф The blondТs voice seemed to whisper in
JohnТs ear.
John let the boy fall gently to the ground. The boyТs destiny had been set the
moment heТd made his first kill.
John turned to the blond. HeТd robbed him of one of his pack, but that wasnТt
enough. More was required, but conventional society was powerless. There was
nothing to connect the blond with the killings. Worse, John himself was more
apt to come under police suspicion.
УThere are others, you know. There will always be others. You canТt stop it.Ф
The voice now caressed JohnТs ear.
УMaybe not. But like a mosquito, I can make it unpleasant,Ф said John.
УI could take you. DonТt you fear that?Ф The voice, teasing, at his side
again. Cold vapor rose from the ground, surrounding John.
John stared at the blond. УYou wonТt take me. IТm your balance-your challenge.
I add spice to your existence.Ф
УYou know me well, John McIntyre. But not well enough.Ф The blond stepped
forward and reached out.
John stood his ground. There was no escape. Intense cold seeped through his
flesh, grating against his bones. The air compacted, pressing his soft points.
Ear drums throbbed in pain. Eyes sent sharp points of light to his brain. Fear
ratcheted his body. He could smell it.
УNext time,Ф said the blond. He stepped away.
Resolve propelled John. He moved in quickly. From behind, he locked his right
arm around the blondТs neck and pulled him close.
The blond laughed and grabbed JohnТs arm.