"Zelazny, Roger - Amber Short Stories 04 - Coming To A Cord" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zelazny Roger)

How long I lay coiled in this position, I have no way of telling. I was
alone in the sitting room, though I was aware of Flora's breathing next door.

Suddenly, she shrieked. This time, I just loosened myself and dropped to
the floor.

As I began hurrying toward the room I heard another voice. "Sorry," it
said. "I am pursued. I had no choice but to drop in without invitation."

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Well, I'm a sorcerer," he said. "I was hiding in your mirror, as I have
every _night_ for a long while. I have this crush on you and I like to
watch you as you go about your business."

"Peeping Tom--a voyeur!" she said.

"No," he said. "I think you're a really nice-looking lady, and I like
watching you. That's all."

"There are many legitimate ways by which you could have gained an
introduction," she said.

"True, but that way might have led to horrible complications in my life."

"Oh, you're married."

"Worse than that," he said.

"What, then?"

"No time now. I can feel its approach," he said.

"What's approach?"

"The guisel," he said. "I sent one to slay another sorcerer, but he
disposed of it and sent one of his own after me. Didn't know he was that good.
I don't know how to dispose of the things, and it will be oozing through that
mirror in a matter of minutes, to destroy us all most nastily. So, this place
being Amber and all, is there some hero available who might be anxious to earn
another merit badge?"

"I think not," she replied. "Sorry."

Just then the mirror began to darken.

"Oh, it's coming!" he cried.

I had felt the menace it exuded some time before. But then, that is my