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

"Lord Krath, I bear a message from Lord Stephanov." He held the posture without wavering. To do
anything else would be an insult. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.

Krath moved his hand up from the armrest to his face, assuming a thoughtful position. Slowly, his yellow
gaze fell down upon the courier and seemed to burn straight through the younger vampire. "So," his deep
voice resonated off the walls of the room, "Stephanov sends word. And what would my enemy have to
say to me?" His every move coldly calculated, he lifted his free hand and extended it palm up toward the
courier.

Bowing his head, the courier placed the cylinder in Krath's hand.

Studying the cylinder for a moment, Krath traced over several of the intricate designs with his clawed
fingers. It was stunningly beautiful, yet the ancient vampire knew beauty was most often the mask of
treachery. His clan had been at war with Stephanov's for more decades than even he could remember
now and the raison d'├кtre seemed a dark, murky memory at this point. Lifting the cylinder to his nose, he
took a deep whiff. He could detect no powder or resin that would signal the presence of explosives.
Satisfied that it was nothing more than the courier indicated, Krath broke the seal. Sliding his fingers
inside, he pulled free a heavy piece of parchment and unrolled it. Glancing over the meticulously crafted
letter, Krath looked up with a mixture of pleasure and confusion on his face. Springing from his throne
with a speed and excitement that seemed unbefitting his stature, the ancient vampire pointed to three of
his servants on the far side of the room. "Gather everyone. I have news. Quickly now!"

The three vampires took no time in heading out of the throne room.

Krath looked over the letter again, then realized he was standing in front of the courier. "You, what is
your name?"

"Sang," the courier replied without looking up or changing his position. Another bead of sweat formed on
his forehead, just beside the intricate tribal tattoos that ran down his face.

"Sang?" Krath spat the name as if it were a bad taste in his mouth. A spark or recognition passed over
his face for a moment. "Have I not heard your name before?" he asked mostly to himself. He paused and
reflected before continuing. "You serve Stephanov?"

"No, my Lord," Sang responded. "I am merely a courier. I hold no allegiances."

Krath stared down at the young man before him. Protocol called for him to kill the vampire, but there
was something about this vampireтАжhe couldn't put his finger on it. Plus, Krath knew he needed to
respond to the letter. "Stand up," he commanded.

Sang complied fearfully, but accepted his fate.

"I need you to take a message back to Stephanov," Krath stated.

Sang's eyes widened for a moment, but he quickly washed the surprise from his face. "Yes?"

Krath held the letter tightly in his hand. Looking down at the young vampire before him, he reached out
and patted him gently on the shoulder. "Tell Stephanov that I accept."

Sang nodded.