the six-foot-deep hole while pointing—a revolver, was it? Yes—she
recognized it as the twin of Meredith’s. Then without trying to let
himself down easily, he simply jumped as Damon had, into the hole.
“DON’T YOU WANT TO KNOW—” roared Shinichi, but no one
was paying any attention to him.
Matt’s jump didn’t end lightly as Damon’s had. It ended with a
gasp and a stifled curse. But Matt didn’t waste time; still on his knees,
he handed the gun up to Damon.
“Blessed bullets—shoot it!”
Damon moved very fast. He didn’t even seem to aim. But he must
have clicked the safety off and aimed immediately, for the root was now
streaking for the soft wall of the hole, its end wrapped tightly around
something round.
Elena heard two shattering revolver shots; three. Then Damon
stooped and picked up a vine-wrapped ball, medium-sized and crystal
clear where its true surface could be seen.
“PUT THAT DOWN!” Shinichi’s rage was beyond all measure.
The two burning red spots of his eyes were like flames—like moons of
fire. He seemed to be trying to get them to comply by sheer volume. “I
SAID, DON’T TOUCH THAT WITH YOUR FILTHY HUMAN
HANDS!”
“Oh, my God!” gasped Bonnie.
Meredith said simply, “It’s Misao’s—it has to be. He’d gamble
with his own; but not with hers. Damon, hand it up to me, along with the