"02 - Torment" - читать интересную книгу автора (McGough Scott)

in naked wonder at the treasure, hovering a clear foot off

the ground, that had called to him across the salt flats.

The smooth, flawless black ball somehow seemed to

radiate darkness like fire radiates light. Chainer's flare

only showed it in relief, for the sphere defined itself

with its own anti-light. The edges of the sphere's dark

field crackled and sparked as they rippled and undulated

outward.

Half-hypnotized by the black light and the triumphant

crescendo of sound, Chainer had a vision of his future. The

world around him dropped away, and in a flash of black

light and silence he saw, felt, and knew the triumphant

course his destiny would take. He would be a man of

importance, of success, honored and obeyed as one of the

true masters of the world. People and monsters alike would

bow down before him, and at his pleasure they would live or

die. He would be the Cabal's champion, its ambassador, its

paragon, and he would spread its influence over the entire

world.

The light from Chainer's flare began to sputter and

die. He could still hear the sphere's call, still feel its

power vibrating in his skull. His course was clear. It was

the most important thing in the world and as such fit only

for the most important person in the world.

"For the First," Chainer whispered. He firmly grabbed