over treetops and the familiar tramp of military boots announced the departure of a company of excubitors.
“I shall miss you, Zoe. We have shared many confidences over the years.”
“And now it’s time to say goodbye, John,” Cornelia said from the doorway. “Everything is packed and loaded.” She came to him and put her arms around him. “It will be a new life and a better one, John. You no longer serve Justinian. You are free.”
They left the study. The thud of the house door closing quivered upstairs through the hot air. Cloud shadows briefly dimmed the sunlight pouring across the mosaic girl’s face, seeming to animate her features and creating a brief, sad smile on her glass lips.
Вы читаете Nine for the Devil
