|
|
|
|
|
|
|
was the shiny bald spot on top of the big man's head. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As Conrad disappeared, clumps of viscous-looking gray matter could be seen traveling back through the energy tentacle and up into the Dark Man's hand. In a few minutes, the only thing that remained of the bodyguard was a suit of empty black clothing that collapsed like a pile of rags the second the tentacle was withdrawn. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Ah!" the Dark Man sighed. "That was refreshing." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The tentacle raced back across the floor and vanished like a retractable vacuum cleaner cord up into the sorcerer's fingertips. The Dark Man seemed taller, more robust. His face had been recast into its normal dour physiognomy and the top hat and tuxedo jacket had disappeared. He shook himself like a wet dog, then looked at the goateed man and nodded toward Bryan. "Prepare him." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The goateed man laid out the sorcerer's bags of sand and used the various colored grains to draw a five-pointed star inside a circle on the carpet. When finished, he glanced at his master. The Dark Man nodded and the goateed man got to his feet, drew a short broadsword with a convex cutting edge and a sharp point from the suitcase and went over to Bryan. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"What are you doing?" Bryan cried, holding out his hands to ward off the inevitable. "No, please! Don't touch me!" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The goateed man sprinkled a pinch of the Dark Man's powder over the diamond merchant's head. Then he averted his eyes, and with as little fuss as possible, he used the falchion to cut Bryan's clothing away. As soon as Bryan was naked, the goateed man went back to the suitcase and returned with several tubes of acrylic paints and proceeded to cover Bryan's body with red, black and green runes. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
While his assistant was busy preparing Bryan, the Dark Man laid the spikes out in a row on the floor. As he worked, he hummed an eerie tune that set Bryan's already chattering teeth on edge. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Pl-pl-please . . . Don't hurt me." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Dark Man stopped humming and looked up. His eyes were as cold as glacial ice. "You talk of hurt?" He walked |
|
|
|
|
|