"Terence West - Darkness" - читать интересную книгу автора (West Terence)

the High Council, or Esgobaeth, was well over one thousand years old, but there were a few older and
their "gift" varied according to age. If students had their choice, it was common knowledge they would
always chose the eldest member of the council to complete the ritual; however, they knew that not all
students could handle, or were worthy of, that much power to begin their careers. The seven watched
each member of a class closely, determining whom they would pick for the ritual.

The seven students were all men, save for one woman. A female Wraith wasn't as uncommon as it used
to be; yet the council found that few actually completed the training. They were all nearly the same age of
twenty-five, with a few a little younger. The female student, Emily St. Louise-her peers called her
Saint-was the youngest at twenty-three. She had been observed with special interest by the council for
exhibiting a special aptitude for this kind of work. Handpicked for the academy by her Master, Ben
Quinn, at the ripe young age of thirteen, she had instantly excelled at her studies and fieldwork. This was
rare in a student. Many took months, even years to adjust to their new way of life, while others could not
cope at all and washed out. The council had been very impressed with her work over the past ten years
and subsequently had chosen her to receive the ritual from the eldest among them: One.

As a Wraith ascended to the council-a spot was rarely ever available-they lost their name and individual
identity. Each was given only a number to cling to, the order in which they joined the council. To keep
personal wants and needs out of the master equation, these were stripped from a new member. They
would think only of the Gwyliad Wriaeth. Nothing else mattered to them anymore. If any of their number
began to show personal interest in matters outside the order, the remaining six members dealt them with
quickly. This had only happened once in the history of the Guard, but even hundreds of years later, the
ripple of consequence was still being felt. It would not be allowed to happen again.

As the two attending Wraiths completed situating the students and informing them of the rules of the
ritual, they stepped out of the way and faded into the darkness. The students could hear the slight rustle
of fabric as the silence closed in around them. From the head of the immense room, the seven council
members appeared as hundreds of candles flickered brightly around them. Each one, dressed in a long,
white robe that hid their gender and shadowed their faces, held a ceremonial cup and dagger. Though
they were all old enough to have developed fangs, to use them would be an affront to everything they
stood for. It would make them no better than the prey they swore their lives to hunt and destroy.

The first-One-stepped out of line and moved in front of the other six council members. Holding the silver
dagger in its hand, it pointed to the students. "On this twenty-eighth day of October, in the year
two-thousand and four, we are gathered here to transform these students into Acolytes." Its voice was
full and deep as it echoed off the cavernous walls of the council chamber. "If there is one here who
wishes to refuse the ritual, let them speak now." One paused, although it knew none would speak out.
"Very good," it said with more than a hint of pleasure in its voice.

One motioned to the other members of the council to take their positions. As each moved across the
room, a row of candles shimmered to life as they walked, lighting their way. Stopping in front of their
chosen student, the candles encircled the two, separating each pair from the others. Setting the cups
before the students, the council members knelt down and held their daggers at the ready.

"If you scream out," One warned, "you will fail this test. If you unclasp your hands, you will fail this test. If
you touch any of the council in any way, you will fail this test." One looked to the other council members,
then back to the young woman kneeling before it. "This ritual has been passed down through the
generations. It will be the penultimate test in your training, and though you have made it this far, know that
this ritual is not without its dangers. I give each of you one final chance to back out and spare yourselves
what could be a horrible death."