Читать книгу Through the Thorns into the Abyss онлайн

6 страница из 28

Laira was working her head hard, too, rubbing her chin and biting her lip. She and Shinak were up against Viran’s army. Who had been winning for the second hour-but still couldn’t finish the game. The final victory slipped through his fingers again and again.

– Don’t distract me,» he said coldly and colorlessly to Shinaku. – I’m working out the combinations.

– Of course you are…

– Yes. My father used to say: «Numbers are everything. The foundation of the universe.» He was good with numbers… Even went to engineering school in Saraban, but he failed. Didn’t have enough money for a bribe. I’ll beat him, though.

The guy’s cold eyes expressed nothing but concentration and seriousness. His face felt as if it were stone. Finally Viran nodded faintly – agreeing with himself – and rearranged a few pieces. His fingertips were smooth and exact-«a machine, not a man.

– Check,» he said. – I suggest you end the game. Your chances are negligible.

Then he grinned faintly, grimly but unkindly.

– No way,» Shin said, his black eyes narrowing. – We’ll play to the end.