He walked out—leaving me alone with the Halsite.
"Take me outside," I said.
"Boss say no."
"Boss didn't say no—he just told you to watch me. You can watch me just as well outside as in here."
"Boss say keep you in house," the Halsite repeated, grinning cheerfully as he talked, exposing his long, yellow canines.
"Are you afraid of me?" I asked with mild incredulity.
"E'Komo afraid of no man," the Halsite said. "Men weak—poor hunters—poor fighters—but Boss say inside." His mouth closed like a trap and he looked sullen.
"You are afraid," I said, putting as much contempt into the words as I dared. "Afraid."
"E'Komo not afraid of any human."
"Of the Boss?" I asked insinuatingly.