"Continuing Time - 01 - Emerald Eyes" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moran Daniel Keys)

and thrown him a full five meters. Shana sucked in her breath, and her claws
unsheathed of their own accord. The boy struck the mat rolling and came to his
feet running backward. The Peaceforcer was right there, a long kick whistling
through the space the boyТs body had occupied only an instant before.
There was a moment when the two stood facing each other, motionlessly, before
engaging again, and Lorette continued speaking as though she had never been
interrupted. УBut the people in the city,Ф she said, lips drawn back from her
teeth in a reflex that had nothing to do with a humanТs smile, Уanimals. They
stare so.Ф She stopped scratching Shana. УHow is that?Ф
УI still itch in all places.Ф
Lorette sighed, switched to French. УWhat did they inject you with?Ф
The snarl in ShanaТs voice would have been audible even to a human. УThey did
not tell me, except it is supposed to make me strong. If I was a human, even a
genie, they would have said.Ф
Lorette chuckled without amusement. УIf you were a human citizen they could not
even have injected you without permission.Ф
Shana was silent, watching as a somewhat smaller Peaceforcer took over from the
very large one. The boy had no time to catch his breath; within seconds the two
were fighting, each wielding a meter-long rod of wood with a rounded, metal cap
at each end.
УReally?Ф
Lorette sighed, and returned to English. УIt is what Albert says.Ф
УAlbert says things just to say them,Ф said Shana sullenly.
УTrue.Ф Lorette was struck by something amusing, and she leaned forward to
whisper in ShanaТs ear. УAlbert told me that he has watched Carl spar and that
he is better.Ф
УScratch my shoulders, please,Ф said Shana. LoretteТs claws moved up after the
new itch, and Shana sighed with pleasure when they caught it. УAlbert is a fool.
He is four years older than Carl, and he is jealous because he is not as
important. He is one of many de Nostri, and Carl is the only telepath.Ф She
thought about the subject for a moment. УPerhaps it is even true that he is
better than Carl, with an advantage of only six years study in martial
discipline. Carl began learning only after they found he was a telepath and
realized it might be necessary to use him in the field. But I will tell you this
much, Albert may best Carl on the mat. If they ever fight truly, Carl will win.Ф
Shana had to catch her breath after speaking; she was slightly winded.
УI have talked to Carl once,Ф said Lorette thoughtfully. УHe says when they take
him on assignment he is well protected.Ф
Shana nodded. УYes. He is their only telepath, unless the little dark-haired
girl is one also, and they will not know that until, what is itЕФ and she took a
long, deep breath, to bring the air into her lungs, and spoke in her native
tongue, УComment dit-on en anglais СmenarcheТ?Ф
УPuberty,Ф said Lorette, Уbut it means for boys and girls both. They do not have
a word for menarche.Ф
УThey will not know until Jany reaches puberty, then.Ф Shana coughed, a deep,
guttural sound, and said, УIt makes him special.Ф
Lorette brightened. УLook, the fourth match is finished. One more and we can go
to lunch.Ф
Shana shook her head slowly. Her ears had begun twitching without stop. УI think
perhaps I should go to the infirmary.Ф