Again I lunged. Again—again—again....
My shoulders were bruised now, my whole body aching. It was all I could do to stumble back for still another try.
Only then, suddenly, light spilled in upon us as the door swung open.
Unbelieving, I rocked back. Celeste Stelpa gave a choked, incoherent cry.
Wider the door swung, and still wider.
I held my breath and tensed my belly, waiting to see what form our foe would take.
Nothing happened.
I looked round at Celeste, and she at me.
Still nothing.
For an instant I stood rigid. Then, tight-lipped, I took a quick, cat-footed step in the direction of the open door.