Конец вечности
The Beginning of Infinity
Yethehesitated.Somethingirrationalwithinhimcouldstillpleadhercaseandpointuptheremnantsofhisownfutileloveandlonging.Wasshedesperateathisrejectionofher?Wasshedeliberatelycourtingdeathbylying?Wassheindulginginfoolishheroicsbornofdespairathisdoubtsofher?
No!_
Thebook-filmsofthesickly-sweetliterarytraditionsofthe289thmighthaveitso,butnotagirllikeNoys.Shewasnotonetomeetherdeathatthehandsofafalseloverwiththejoyfulmasochismofabroken,bleedinglily.
Thenwasshescornfullydenyinghisabilitytokillherforanyreasonwhatever?Wassheconfidentlyrelyingontheattractionsheknewshehadforhimevennow,certainthatitwouldimmobilizehim,freezehiminweaknessandshame.
Thathittooclosely.Hisfingerclampedabitharderonthecontact.
Noysspokeagain."You’rewaiting.Doesthatmeanyouexpectmetoenterabriefforthedefense?"
"Whatdefense?"Harlantriedtomakethatscornful,yethewelcomedthediversion.Itcouldpostponethemomentwhenhemustlookdownuponherblastedbody,uponwhateverremnantsofbloodyfleshmightremain,andknowthatwhathadbeendonetohisbeautifulNoyshadbeendonebyhisownhand.
Hefoundexcusesforhisdelay.Hethoughtfeverishly:Lethertalk.LethertellwhatshecanabouttheHiddenCenturies.SomuchbetterprotectionforEternity.
