"Nick Pollotta - Bureau 13 - Judgment-Night" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pollotta Nick)

Holy water?
Instantly, a section of ice melted and a spiderweb of cracks
exploded outward to spread across the lake with lightning
speed. The chunks dissolved and as the open water reached
Big Icky, its clawed hooves burst into flame and the dinghy
disappeared. Howling and shrieking, the nightmarish thing
flapped its way into the sky.
Arcing over us, a lance of fire reached out from shore to
hose the beast from claws to horn. Keening in what sounded
like real pain, the monster seriously beat wings and headed
for the distant clouds.
тАЬIts going to come back,тАЭ Jessica warned, fingertips resting
on temples.
тАЬSo swim for shore!тАЭ Mindy cried, diving into the water.
Pausing at the edge of the platform, Raul gave me a
consoling look before he also dove. It was appreciated. Might
have been only ten meters to shore, but I am perhaps the
worst swimmer in North America since Rod тАЬThe RockтАЭ
Kinnison.


32
 Judgement Night: Bureau 13 Book 1
by Nick Pollotta


тАЬSend the boat!тАЭ I suggested when Father Donaher pushed
me from behind. I went under with a splash, and after a short
eternity came to the surface blowing water out of my nose.
Frantically dog paddling for the shore, I wondered what the
penance was for killing a priest.
I sighed with relief when land was under my sneakers, and
stumbling from the cold water I joined the rest of my team
waiting impatiently on the grass. Then the seven of us
sprinted for the log cabin where all of our stuff was kept. Or
rather, everything we took on vacation. Our motor home and
heavy weapons were parked safe in town some thirty miles
away. Might as well have been on the moon.
Gathering on the porch, we kept a watchful scan on the
sky.
тАЬRun, or make a stand?тАЭ Richard asked, breathing hard.
His red speedo had shrunk in the water to a shocking size, his
right hand clenched at his side, feeling for a wizard wand not
there.
Good question. Our jeep could easily hold the lot of us and
boasted a top speed of sixty. However, its open sides offered
us no protection, the road was laughable and the Winged
Wonder could probably do sixty in its sleep.
Cracking open my exhausted weapon, I dropped the spent
brass and slide in a speedloader of fresh rounds.