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doctor's steamy guts was like the bitter taste of dirt in his mouth. Yet the human part of Cyrus sensed danger in the dark giant's equanimity, and for the moment at least, the human part was still in control. |
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Cyrus lowered himself down on his haunches and forced himself to scrutinize the Dark Man and his companionpaying special attention to the way the witchman was fingering that strange talisman. |
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"I see you have learned to control your animal," the Dark Man said. "If only my late assistant had had the same good sense, you and Ms. Rand would be dead now and I would not be standing here on this accursed mountain. But that's neither here nor" |
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A massive bolt of blinding green energy exploded from the crystal in the center of the Hungan's amulet and struck Cyrus in the chest with the force of a runaway tractor-trailer, hurling him backward through the air. He slammed into the wall and landed on his back more than a dozen yards away. |
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Rolling painfully to his feet, Cyrus shook his head back and forth and quickly moved between Kyna and the dark duo. His chest felt like it had just been stung by the universe's largest wasp, and the fur where the thing hit smelled like a scorched mattress. He saw the sword ready in the goateed man's hands and bared his fangs. |
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"See," the Hungan said to his apprentice. "I told you he was strong. That blast would have killed any normal beast." |
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The goateed man tried to appear relaxed, standing with his feet wide apart and his expression neutral, but it was obvious from his smell that he was terrified. |
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"Why do you hesitate, Mr. Trigg?" the Dark Man asked. "I can feel your rage. You're not afraid of a little piece of steel, are you?" |
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Feel my rage? Cyrus muttered silently to himself. How 'bout feeling the pain in my chest? |
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The Dark Man continued to sneer and regale Cyrus with insults, but Cyrus held himself in check by using his old karate coach's instruction to shout down the beast: "Think!" his |
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