Ходячий замок
Chapter 12
”Shefeltalittlechilly,inspiteoftheheatofthedayblowingthroughtheopenwindowsoftheshaded,elegantroom.“Yes,”shesaid.“He’smadesomesortofcontractwithhisfiredemon.”
Mrs.Pentstemmon’shandsshookalittleonherstick.“Thatwillbeit.Youmustbreakthatcontract,Mrs.Pendragon.”
“IwouldifIknewhow,”Sophiesaid.
“Surelyyourownmaternalfeelingsandyourownstrongmagicgiftwilltellyouhow,”Mrs.Pentstemmonsaid.“Ihavebeenlookingatyou,Mrs.Pendragon,thoughyoumaynothavenoticed—”
“Oh,Inoticed,Mrs.Pentstemmon,”Sophiesaid.
“—andIlikeyourgift,”saidMrs.Pentstemmon.“Itbringslifetothings,suchasthatstickinyourhand,whichyouhaveevidentlytalkedto,totheextentthatithasbecomewhatthelaymanwouldcallamagicwand.Ithinkyouwouldnotfindittoohardtobreakthatcontract.”
“Yes,butIneedtoknowwhatthetermsofitare,”Sophiesaid.“DidHowltellyouIwasawitch,becauseifhedid—”
“Hedidnot.Thereisnoneedtobecoy.Youcanrelyonmyexperiencetoknowthesethings,”saidMrs.Pentstemmon.Then,toSophie’srelief,sheshuthereyes.Itwaslikeastronglightbeingturnedoff.“Idonotknow,nordoIwishtoknowaboutsuchcontracts,”shesaid.Hercanewobbledagain,asifshemightbeshuddering.Hermouthquirkedintoaline,suggestingshehadunexpectedlybittenonapeppercorn.“ButInowsee,”shesaid,“whathashappenedtotheWitch.Shemadeacontractwithafiredemonand,overtheyears,thatdemonhastakencontrolofher.
