He leaped toward her and buried his long fingers, with their sharp nails, in the soft flesh of her arm. Koyala winced with pain; then outraged virginity flooded to her face in a crimson tide. Tearing herself away, she struck him a stinging blow in the face. He staggered back. Van Slyck leaped toward her, but she was quicker than he and backed against the wall. Her hand darted inside her kabaya and she drew a small, silver-handled dagger. Van Slyck stopped in his tracks.
Ah Sing recovered himself and slowly smoothed his rumpled garments. He did not even look at Koyala.
"Let us go," he said thickly.
Koyala sprang to the door. She was panting heavily.
"You shall not go until you pledge me that he is mine!" she cried.
Ah Sing looked at her unblinkingly. The deadly malignancy of his face caused even Van Slyck to shiver.
"You may have your lover, woman," he said in a low voice.
Koyala stared at him as though turned to stone. Suddenly her cheeks, her forehead, her throat even, blazed scarlet. She flung her weapon aside; it clattered harmlessly on the bamboo matting. Tears started in her eyes. Burying her face in her arms, she sobbed unrestrainedly.
They stared at her in astonishment. After a sidelong glance at Ah Sing, Wobanguli placed a caressing hand on her arm.
"Bilian, my daughter—" he began.