|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The bald man hesitated just long enough to send the Dark Man's blood pressure soaring and then shook his head. "No. I just knocked him down and then went after the woman." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Dark Man peered into the bald man's eyes. "You are sure you did not bite the man?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The bald man averted his eyes. "I couldn't have. It happened too fast. I couldn't have." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"And what happened to your shoulder?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The bald man stopped flexing the arm and looked shame-faced. "I tried to take her outside her motel, but she hit me with the car." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Throwing up his hands, the Dark Man went to the window and peered out. "You attacked her in broad daylight, on a busy street?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"The street was not so busy." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Dark Man shook his head and allowed the man with the goatee to drape the cape of brilliant-colored feathers over his shoulders. Then he said to the bald man, "Get up!" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The man moved to his knees and rolled his neck around on his shoulders as he tested the stiffness of the healing wound. Then he stood up and faced his master. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"You were wilding," the Dark Man snapped. "You let the animal take control." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The bald man hung his head in reply. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Dark Man's bony hand moved with the speed of an adder, striking the bald-headed man in the solar plexus with the flat of his palm and dropping the man back to his knees. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I could just as easily have killed you with that blow. You disobey me again and you will wish I had. You understand what I am saying? If you will not serve me in one capacity, you will serve me in another." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The bald man fell at his master's feet and wept like a lost child. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paula had just sat down at the dining table when her eyes suddenly rolled back in her head and her body went completely limp. After a few seconds, her head began to move |
|
|
|
|
|