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Which spoke volumes

Viktor’s eyes closed, then opened Malone caught a flicker of understanding, the gaze telegraphing a different intention from the aimed weapon Then he knew What Stephanie had said

Actually, we’d like Tang dead

“You take care of her, Malone,” Viktor said

Then he swung around and adjusted his aim

Straight at Karl Tang

TANG GREW IMPATIENT OF VIKTOR’S FACE-OFF WITH MALONE

What was he waiting for?

He grabbed the crossbow from the brother beside him and yelled, “Shoot him now, or I’ll shoot you”

Viktor whirled

Every fear he’d ever harbored for this foreigner now bubbled to the surface as the gun barrel focused on him

He fired the crossbow

An instant later the arrow slammed into Viktor Tomas

The other brother, sensing danger, had likewise readjusted his ai deep Viktor choked, blood spewing frorip A hand came to the throat

His knees dissolved into jelly

Then he collapsed

CASSIOPEIA WINCED AS VIKTOR’S BODY WAS PIERCED IN QUICK succession by two high-speed arrows Only a few seconds passed before he teetered, tried to find his balance, then collapsed to the floor with a grunt

She stepped fro, and fired

NI REALIZED THAT CASSIOPEIA VITT WAS IN THE UPPER GALLERY and apparently arner was down Malone held a knife, but he was a long ay

She was their only chance

Vitt came into view, a crossbow in her hand, and she fired

Tang, though, had anticipated the ht

The arrow found the floor and careened away

MALONE COULD SEE THAT CASSIOPEIA’S SHOT HAD MISSED HE held the knife, but little good it could do

The gun

Which lay near Viktor

He had to get it

TANG CAME TO HIS FEET AND DARTED TOWARD THE SWORD NI Yong had discarded He gripped the hilt and commanded the two brothers to seize Ni

He’d show Pau Wen who possessed courage

He cocked his arm and advanced toward Ni

NI TRIED TO FREE HIMSELF BUT THE TWO BROTHERS WERE strong Pau Wen had drifted away, closer to the shelves, watching

His gaze darted out into the hall

Malone was searching for so

Tang was less than threethe sword ready to thrust the blade into his gut

MALONE FOUND THE GUN

The pain in his shoulder was excruciating He’d doubted he would have been able even to toss the knife His right hand lifted the weapon, finger on the trigger He wondered if there wereat this moment to skewer him, too

No matter

He had no choice

He aiun and fired

TANG HEARD A RETORT, THEN FELT SOMETHING POUND INTO his right side Strange, the feeling Nothing at first, then unih hi his insides

He stopped his advance and staggered to the right

He stared out into the hall and saw Cotton Malone aiht at him

Another bang, and a bullet pierced his chest

A third shot

Then he saw nothing at all