Christopher Pike [Thirst 04] The Shadow of Death (epub)

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.Matt looks stunned.“He’s my brother?” he whispers, turning to his mother.“Why did you hide it from me?”Umara meets his pained gaze.“You hated him so much.”Matt shakes his head.“You hate him as well.”“I do.But I love him too.”“Enough to protect him?” Matt asks.“No.Never,” Umara replies.Matt nods slowly, turns back to me.“What’s the risk here?”“I don’t think you’re a major risk,” I say to Matt.“Your father was Yaksha, the most powerful vampire who ever lived.Vampire DNA is much more complex than human DNA.When you rescued me in Arosa, I told you that you were your father’s son and you thought I was flattering you.But I was telling you the truth.You’re more vampire than Telar.”He looks to Umara.“Is that true, Mother?”She turns to us.“Yes.”I can see she wants me to stop talking but I feel an obligation to continue.“But like Haru, Umara, you’re a hundred percent Telar.The attack on him is going to resonate with every blood cell in your body.”“It’s like Matt says.It’s a risk we have to take.”“Not necessarily,” I say.“We’ll have the blood of the other Source members.If we can pierce their Link, we can get them to turn on Haru.We might not have to use his blood at all.”“Too risky,” Umara says.“You might kill everyone in the Source except Haru.He still commands the Telar.If he sees he’s cornered, he’ll definitely release the virus.I know him.”“I’m sure you know him better than anyone.But you can’t predict how the battle will go.Chances are, if we do manage to break their Link, we’ll quickly focus on the weakest member of the group and try to force them to attack the others.We can have this person concentrate on killing Haru.Again, we can do this without bringing Haru’s blood into the mix.”“That sounds reasonable,” Matt says.“I want to try it this way,” I say.“You say that as if you’re going to get a second chance,” Umara says.“You’re not.You have to attack what’s left of the Source, using the blood of all its surviving members, otherwise it won’t work.”“Why not?” I ask.“Words don’t exist to describe how a psychic Link forms.But from experience I know if you don’t attack from all sides, you’ll fail.” She stops and stares at me, her eyes sad.“You need to trust me, Sita.”Her desire for my trust is sincere.Yet she is lying about the need to attack the Link from all sides.I hear the lie plainly, although it seems Matt believes his mother.At the same time he appears grateful to me.“Thank you for explaining the dangers ahead of time,” he says.“It was the least I could do.” I don’t add, after what I did to Teri.Matt continues to think.“I might be able to help break the Source.”“You have no experience with Links,” Umara says.“Leave this to Sita and me.It will work out, I’m confident.”Another odd remark from Umara.My confidence level is low.We couldn’t pierce a four-person Link without outside help.How are we going to take down the last of Haru’s people?Umara knows something she’s not saying.“I need you to take charge of security,” I say to Matt.“We have no idea what Brutran and her buddies will do if we fail.”“Or succeed,” Umara adds.“Do we want anyone leaving this building?” Matt says.“A lot of good people work here,” I say.“You didn’t answer my question.”He’s right.I don’t want to answer it.TWENTY-TWOI decide to introduce Umara honestly to the Cradle, even though I know Brutran and her people will eventually hear about it.I can only imagine the Wicked Witch’s shock when she hears that the insignificant chick Freddy’s been hanging out with is actually the oldest person on the planet.In reality, I have no choice but to be honest with the Cradle.The moment we link, they will know there’s something unusual about Umara.Also, the way I introduce her is designed to give the kids confidence.“Umara has fought the Telar for thousands of years.She’s the one who supplied us with the blood we’re using to lock onto their oldest members.She’s had centuries of experience with Links.We’re going to need that experience this time around.More important she’s the strongest natural psychic on earth.In a single stroke, she’ll double our power.”For the most part, the kids, on both floors, mutter their approval.But Lark has to stand and take the floor.He has changed his clothes and wiped away his blood but he’s still looking shaky.“Everything Alisa says sounds impressive.But she fails to mention several important points.Umara isn’t a member of the Cradle.She hasn’t been initiated.She hasn’t made a sacrifice to the powers who stand behind us.Even you, Alisa, didn’t try to avoid these requirements.Surely Umara can’t be treated any differently.”Before I can answer, Umara stands and speaks in a strong voice.“I’m ready to abide by your initiation requirements.Let’s begin and I’ll offer you a sacrifice none of you will forget.”The lights are dimmed, the candle is lit, the prayers are intoned.The power in the room is immense and we have hardly begun.With Umara on my left instead of Lark, and Shanti sitting out of sight in the room directly above, I feel almost no head pressure.Nevertheless, the room begins to spin as the etheric tornado enters and I feel the usual separation from my body.I am still a little dizzy when Lark stops and demands that Umara provide a blood sample of the person she intends to offer to the Familiars.I have to struggle to open my eyes.“How innocent does my victim have to be?” Umara asks.Lark snickers.“Not as innocent as Alisa’s victim.”Umara plays dumb.“Excuse me, what does that mean?”“No one is truly innocent,” Lark says impatiently.“Give the person’s blood to Jolie and let’s continue.”“As you wish.” Suddenly twisting her left hand counterclockwise, Umara snaps Lark’s wrist so violently that his bone pierces his skin.With her other hand, she makes a fist and strikes him on top of the head, stunning him, probably with the intention of keeping him in place.Reaching past me to Jolie, she gives the girl a healthy sample of Lark’s blood.The little girl licks it off Umara’s hand and holds it in her mouth.Umara looks to me as if to say, You better take over [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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