uot; said Shrike. "How many?"
"Eight, at least. "
"Shit," said Spyder.
"Can you reach the Hornet?" asked the Count.
"Its right by my saddle, on the other side of the fire. "
"Dont reach for it now. Youll fight with that and not the knife. The Hornet will give you some distance from your opponent. Smile. You and the Butcher Bird are relaxed and happy and in love. "
"How can you be sure theyre going to attack?" Spyder asked.
Lulu handed them cups of hot tea. Shrike blew on hers to cool it. "You send one or two men to spy," she said. "When you send eight or more, its a raiding party. "
"Is it those desert rats we saw earlier today? They didnt look like much," said Spyder.
"Anyone who can live in this open desert is going to be hard as stone and fierce as a demon," said Non.
"Im boosting morale with cheap bravado," said Spyder. "On my planet, we refrain from telling people them how fucked they are. "
"My mistake. "
"How are you doing, Lulu?" asked Spyder.
"I could use a fix. Or a drink. "
"We need you bright-eyed and quick like a bunny right now. "
"More than you know," Lulu said. She moved her leg to reveal the smooth butt of a sawed-off shotgun. "A four-ten. Small enough to love, big enough to kill. "
"You have any more guns in that bag?" Spyder asked Count Non.
"Sorry, no. "
"Damn. Id feel a lot more useful with a gun. "
"Youll do fine. "
"Shh," said Shrike. "Theyre close. "
"How can you be sure?" Spyder a
Страницы: << < 167 | 168 | 169 | 170 | 171 > >>