His back pressed against the seat and there was a crushing weight on his chest. His insides tied themselves in knots. What was happening to him. What invisible monster held him in its clutch?
“Afraid?” Andra asked.
Karn was aware that the weight was off his chest. The purring was muffled. They had the beast penned. Then Andra unfastened the thongs that bound Karn.
“Why should Karn be afraid?” he smiled scornfully.
“Perhaps now you would rather remain in your own world. There may be danger on Mahlo.”
This woman was a fool. Naturally; she was a woman. What was danger to Karn? What was danger to a man who had lived his life with Tur and the bull males of the tribe, who roamed the same jungle with the saber-tooth and the great wolf?
Yet she was a woman, and one who attracted him. Karn reached out and drew her to him. Let her feel the might of his arms. She was doing something strange with her lips, pressing them against his.
“Now let me go,” she said. Then, sharply, “Let me go!”
Bewildered, Karn released his grip. He was confused by this creature of moods. One moment she smiled and the next moment she seemed angry. He wanted to please her. But how?
“Well, we’re all right,” Ven said. He came from some other chamber in the great ship. “We’re running free now. At the next force field we’ll