Only there was no time for numbness, nor for recrimination. I had too many things to do; too large a role to play.
I came up fast, dragging the woman bodily with me. "Get me out of here. Now, before I kill you."
She tottered, wincing and cringing as I twisted her arm slowly round. But as before, her voice stayed strangely level. "I'm sorry, Mark. I can't do that."
"You're going to!"
"I can't."
I said, "Half a turn more, and something snaps. You won't like it."
"I—can't."
"Why can't you?"
"Because—the Kel—won't let me."
"They won't let you?" I paused in my twisting to make a slow, elaborate survey of the distorted room. "You know, for a second I almost thought you said the Kel wouldn't let you take me out."