"Kathy Tyers - Firebird 2 - Fusion Fire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tyers Kathy)

тАЬI do, child. Rest easy in our secret.тАЭ

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Across the College, Firebird found on the message board that Brennen had changed his plans and now
expected to stay late in conference. She sought out a monopodтАФa one-man repulsor craft, available for
hire at the CollegeтАФpressed the ID disk given her at Regional Command, Alta, into its template, and
then thumbed its checkpanel to verify. The disk gleamed faintly. A green flash on the program panel
confirmed the debiting of the rental to their household account. She touched in a program that would
return her to Trinn Hill. Scarcely noticing the forbidding peaks of the Dracken Range as the autopilot
craft negotiated the route through the deep cleft between Efferdale and Soldane, she stared ahead. In
memory, she retraced the conversation with Aldana Spieth. Reviewing their words, she became
increasingly certain that the Master Sentinel had managed the entire interview, and at the last her curiosity
had been subliminally squelched.

She reached Trinn Hill in a vile mood.

==========

Brennen returned late. Deferring dinner, he plucked a crimson blossom from the distrugia vine in the
greenwell and tucked it behind her ear.

тАЬIt was a good idea, Man, but not one of us was able to lower his epsilon reading. Cristod Harris tried,
and Thurl Hoston, and I worked long after theyтАЩd given up and gone home. But it seems impossible.тАЭ
She followed as he ambled to the bathing room, pulled a towel from the steamer, and buried his face in it.
тАЬIf you honestly feel Terrell is a threat,тАЭ came his muffled voice, тАЬIтАЩm willing to keep a personal watch on
him.тАЭ He tossed the towel into the sterilizer and reached for another, but caught her glance before
pressing it to his face.

All her frustration melted away at the sight and sensation of his sincere concern. тАЬThank you, Brenn,тАЭ she
whispered. She reached up and clasped her hands behind his neck. He dropped the towel. A shiver slid
through her, caressing memory and sensation. Burying her face against his chest, she murmured, тАЬI wish I
could do that for you.тАЭ

тАЬBut you do, Mari.тАШтАЩ Brennen held her close. тАЭDonтАЩt you think I feel your pleasure?тАЬ

Firebird squeezed him.

She shuffled to the kitchen, programmed the warmer to assemble and cook the evening meal, and slipped
out onto the deck. By then, Brennen stood at the rail, stars brightening above him. Cold, still mist rose
toward their level, swallowing a stand of weeping rustilian trees and carrying the scent of Soldane:
resinous and vaguely sweet, the odor of damp kirka bark.

He spoke without turning. тАЬI also spent some time with Master Spieth. She called just as I was leaving
the College.тАЭ

тАЬOh?тАЭ Alarmed, Firebird focused her thoughts and feelings on her pregnancy.

тАЬShe asked if I would allow her to read your personality through your bonded imprint on me. Naturally I
submitted. I believe sheтАЩs concerned about yourтАжтАЭ He hesitated. тАЬYour maternal instincts.тАЭ