angles came together in such a pattern as to remind me of the warehouse room with the living statues on Rizal. I was released; allowed to sit.

Minutes dragged by. Then, suddenly, close at hand, another hatch opened. One of the Kel oozed through it, carrying Celeste.

In a flash, all my tensions were back. My palms began to sweat. I had trouble with my breathing.

Gracefully, the girl came close; sat down beside me. "Mark...."

I hesitated, trying not to let the ambivalence I felt show in my eyes. "Yes?"

"Mark, please...." Her hand rested lightly on my arm. "Look at me, Mark."

It was a lovely face. Kel or not, it was lovely.

"My hair, Mark. Look at my hair. Feel of it."

She lifted my hand as she spoke, and brushed it against softly silken strands.

Involuntarily, I stiffened.

"That's right, Mark. It's real. Not even the most sensitive of the Kel can match it."

I looked at her, then. Full at her, straight into her eyes.

Cool, clear, grey eyes.

Her words came in a rush: "Mark I know what you thought. But it wasn't true, not any of it. I didn't have any more idea than you of why the Kel let us go, there in the warehouse. I'm still not sure, unless they wanted to follow you to Kruze.

"As soon as we separated, four of them seized me. One—became like me. And after that...."

I nodded slowly.

"Mark...."

"Don't worry. I'm listening."

"Please, Mark—"

"Let me guess." I laughed abruptly. "They've brought you here to pry some more, get out more information."

 Prev. P 39/55 next