"Then why—?"
"Because there's been too much of blood and killing." He lashed out the words in sudden fury, out of all proportion. "I wouldn't turn in a dog to be tormented...."
The girl came to him, through the shadows, till she was close ... so very close. "Then ... it was not for anything that you felt towards me that you saved me?"
She swayed as she spoke—swayed forward, against him. He could feel the slow beat of her heart, the measured pressure of her breathing. The fragrance of her hair rose in his nostrils.
"No," he said. "No. There was nothing."
For a long, long moment she stood still, not moving. Then, very softly, she said, "You lie, Craig Nesom!"
Something inside Craig let go like a taut spring snapping. "Damn you—!" he choked, and crushed her to him, hard against him.
She came willingly, body warm and vibrant; eyes closed, lips parted.
Red lips ... softer than any dream of Vydys.
Craig drank deep of them.