There should be at least one craft yet in the Bellers’ possession, and they might send that one down to investigate the
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disappearance of these. Also, there might be more than one, because Nimstowl and Judubra could have had such vessels.
“Twelve Sellers down. Thirty-eight to go,” Kickaha said. “And we now have some power and transportation.”
He and Anana went out in the half-craft. He transferred into a vessel, brought it into the cave, then came out again to bring in the second. When all three vessels were side by side in the huge cavern, Podarge insisted that the two instruct her and some chosen eagles in the operation of the vessels. Kickaha asked, first, for the return of their handbeamers and the projectors that went with the half-craft. Podarge hesitated so long that Kickaha thought she was going to turn against him then and there. He and Anana were helpless because they had loaned their weapons out to ensure the success of the plan. He did have his knife, which he was determined to throw into the Harpy’s solar plexus if she showed any sign of ordering the eagles to seize them. This would not save him and Anana, but he at least would have taken Podarge along with him.
The Harpy, however, finally gave the desired order to her subjects. The beamers were returned; the projectors were put back into the half-craft. Still, he felt uneasy. Podarge was not going to forgive him for being WolfTs friend, no matter what services he rendered her. As soon as his usefulness ended, so would his life. That could be thirty minutes or thirty days from now.
When he had a chance to speak to Anana alone, he told her what to expect.
“It’s what I thought would happen,” she said. “Even if you weren’t Jadawin’s friend, you would
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be in danger because you have been her lover. She must know that, despite her beautiful face and beautiful breasts, she is a hybrid monster and therefore disgusting to the human males she forces to make love to her. She cannot forgive that; she must eliminate the man who secretly despises her. And I am in danger because, one, I have a woman’s body, and she must hate all women because she is condemned to her half-bird body. Two, I have her face, and she’s not going to let a woman with my body and her face live long to enjoy it. Three, she is insane! She frightens me!”
“You, a Lord, admit you’re scared!” he said.
“Even after ten thousand years, I’m scared of some things. Torture is one of them, and I’m sure that she will torture me horribly—if she gets a chance. Moreover, I worry about you.”
He was startled. “About me? A teblabbiyT*
“You aren’t an ordinary human,” she said. “Are you sure you’re not at least half-Lord? Perhaps Wolffs son?”
“I’m sure I’m not,” he said, grinning. “You wouldn’t be feeling the emotions of a human woman, would you? Perhaps you’re just a little bit fond of me? Maybe a trifle attracted to me? Possibly, perish the thought, you even desire me? Possibly, O most hideous idea, even love me a little? That is, if a Lord is capable of love?”
“You’re as mad as the Harpy!” she said, glaring. “Because I admire your abilities and courage doesn’t mean that I would possibly consider you as a mate, my equal!”
“Of course not,” he said. “If it weren’t for me, you’d have been dead a dozen times or would now be screaming in a torture chamber. I’ll tell you what. When you’re ready to confess you’re
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wrong. I’ll save you embarrassment. Just call me lover, that’s all. No need for apologies or tears of contrition. Just call me lover. I can’t promise I’ll be in love with you, but I will consider, just consider, mind you, the prospect of being your lover. You’re damnably attractive, physically, anyway. And I wouldn’t want to offend Wolff by turning his sister down, although, come to think of it, he didn’t speak very fondly of you.”
He had expected fury. Instead, she laughed. But he wasn’t sure that the laughter wasn’t a cover-up.