Maxie’s Demon by Michael Scott Rohan

Author:Michael Scott Rohan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780575092310
Publisher: Orion Publishing Group
Published: 2018-06-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Czech Speed Now

NOW THAT IS the original rude awakening, calculated to send your laundry bills soaring. Just to add to my joys Kelley had heard it all, too. There he was in his nightshirt between me and the stairs, eyes screwed up, voice triumphant.

‘You see, sirrah? Spoke I not the truth? As soon cling to a dagger by its tip as to this power ne’er meant for you. And that you can no more hope to wield—’

I brushed past him. He didn’t look as if he’d slept much, either. He caught me by the arm, painfully hard, and pulled me aside. He dropped his voice so that Dee couldn’t hear.

‘Enough of disguise and fooling! You’ve seen fit to thwart my will in every way since your first coming. And spent this last night ploughing the furrow I cleared for myself! D’you think me a slack fool, to suffer this quietly? D’you dream I’d let you go unchecked, with such a prize in my grasp?’ His ham hand shook me at every spitting word. ‘A shallow, shiftless cozening guttersnipe like you? You’re as far out of your reckoning as your right time!’

‘Piss off!’ I panted. ‘Dee’s near enough getting your number!’

He snorted. ‘Is he, then? I’ve had his measure long since, boy, and yours to boot. Can he shield you from these hunters for ever? The power seeks its own way out, as I guessed it would. In this place, in this time, it grows stronger, and you – what are you, you weakling trash from an enfeebled age? Let it overtake you now, and it’ll command you, not you it! So, then. You will relinquish it now, without delay, to me for whom it was truly destined, or I’ll spill it from your throat!’ He laughed softly. ‘Or would you rather I let fall a word to these strange seekers?’

‘Jesus, d’you think I want this going on all the time? Far as I’m concerned you can take it and stuff it up your jacksy!’

He grinned like a dog. ‘Spare me your protests, you mewling little kite’s turd! You’d have me believe you would ever spurn such a cup? As you pretended to with Jane, no doubt! Small chance!’

‘I mean it! You’ve never met these … creatures! What makes you think you could handle them any better?’

‘Strength, brat. Because I’m strong, and I’m not afraid.’

Dee, padding off back upstairs, saw his two Brothers having a friendly chat and nodded benignly. I opened my mouth, but Kelley expertly tightened his grip. The bones in my arm grated agonisingly. The flesh felt ready to burst like a grape. I gasped with the pain. Still, it saved me from what I’d been about to say. Defying this thug now would be about the stupidest thing I could do.

‘All right!’ I whimpered, and that was no effort at all. ‘I’ll do it! I’ll do it! Hold the ceremony when you like! I said it’s what I want, didn’t I—’

His grin broadened. ‘Ah, there’s reason at last, my bawchuck!’ He clenched his grip a little, the bastard, then released it sharply.

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