"Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman - StarShield Book 1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weis Margaret)

hands. His stance was casual as he leaned into the room yet unnatural in that he didnтАЩt move at all,
except for most prominent flexing of his jaw muscles. His eyes, black and shining, were fixed on Kiria
with a sleepy chill felt even by Merinda.
Kiria rose to stand, folding her hands meekly before her and bowing her head toward the In-
quisitor. тАЬGood morrow, Vestis,тАЭ she said sweetly. тАЬI trust that your wake-time is passing well. If you
will excuse me; no doubt you and the EтАЩtoris Tempus have much to discuss.тАЭ
Kiria stepped toward the hatchway with a nod but Queekat made no move to allow her to pass.
Kiria looked up, glaring at him with her large eyes, her voice more strident. тАЬIf you will excuse me,
Vestis Shn-dar!тАЭ
тАЬLibrae Brenai,тАЭ QueekatтАЩs voice drifted at her with an almost practiced boredom, his chill
gaze still fixed firmly on her face, тАЬthis mission is of the utmost importance to the Omnet. You will
refrain from discussing this mission further with anyone on board for the remainder of the trip.тАЭ The
tall man smiled a predatorтАЩs cold smile. тАЬI would hate for such a minor incident to escalate into far
more uncomfortable actions.тАЭ
Kiria didnтАЩt often do so but she knew when to hold her tongue. She looked away from him,
bowing her head slightly in submission to his authority. It was some moments before the Vestis was
satisfied and moved smoothly aside to allow her passage out of the compartment.
тАЬYou didnтАЩt have to be so cold to her,тАЭ Merinda said with a sullen edge to her voice.
Queekat moved into the room, his eyes scanning the various display crystals around him. The

┬й Copyright 1997 by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman / All Rights Reserved. Page 20
tumbling images of light seemed to be all in order. He stepped past her onto the low-railed deck run-
ning to the forward bulkhead and, satisfied with all he had seen, leaned over and stared down into the
stars below.
тАЬThe hull glass is compensating well for our speed. The image may be false but itтАЩs quite clear
and accurate,тАЭ he said, almost to himself.
тАЬDidnтАЩt you hear what I said?тАЭ
тАЬHum? Oh, sorry, Rini. My mind was on other things. What is it you want?тАЭ
Merinda stood and glanced backward. The hatchway was still open and most of her compan-
ions were still well within earshot of normal conversation if they wished to listen in. She was sure there
were several around that table who were doing just that. The occasional slap of the cards on the table
was all she heard. She leaned slightly toward him and spoke as low as she dared. тАЬKat, just what is
going on. YouтАЩre not telling us what we need to know. If you could only . . .тАЭ
Queekat continued to gaze at the nebula passing below them. тАЬRini, all of this will become clear
in time, but for now itтАЩs important that you and your team just . . .тАЭ
тАЬJust what? Go along blindly?тАЭ Merinda gripped QueekatтАЩs arm. тАЬKat, youтАЩre scaring me. YouтАЩre
scaring us all. WeтАЩve been together for a long time тАФ too long for you to treat us this way.тАЭ
Queekat suddenly looked up at her. тАЬIt has been a long time тАФ a long time ago, Merinda. I
barely know these people any more, and I certainly donтАЩt own them anything!тАЭ
Merinda straightened slowly, a quiver in low her voice. тАЬYes, I suppose it has been a long time
тАФ too long a time for any of us.тАЭ
Queekat looked away for a moment then turned back to face her. She saw that old look in his
eyes, she was sure of it. тАЬNot so long as that,тАЭ he said to her. тАЬSurely not so long as that.тАЭ
тАЬItтАЩs been so long тАФ I thought, well, that you may feel differently now.тАЭ
Queekat opened his arms to her. She fell into him as the folds of his cape surrounded her. тАЬI feel
the same way about you that I have always felt, Rini. How can you question that?тАЭ
Merinda drew a breath, her heart racing as she formed the words she had long dreamed of
saying. тАЬWhen this is finished, will you come for me? Will you take me away into those stars of
yours?тАЭ
He held her gently and whispered in her ear. тАЬWhen this is over, I will come for you.тАЭ