Part 17 (1/2)

”Exactly! So what's wrong? This body I'm wearing doesn't appeal to you? Let me try another! You had a Howler wife, so I thought you'd go for something kinky. But I could be a human wench just as easily. Or ... since you were a silver-torc, how about a domineering blonde with wraparound b.r.e.a.s.t.s-”

”Please!”

Tony edged away.

The houri's expression became calculating. ”What did you mean, about not being strong enough since you lost the torc?

You're not burned out, are you?”

”Of course not! It's just-well, you see, when humans experience s.e.x with you exotic women-that is, when we have the torc, most of us are able to carry on-uh-more efficiently.

Whereas without it-and even with it, if one proves incompatible-I mean, there's a danger-a certain inhibiting factor takes over-”

”Ah-Aa!” said Skathe.

There was a meditative silence. Feeling about in the dark, Tony found his pants and s.h.i.+rt. The houri made no move to stop him, and he gratefully slipped into his clothes, simultaneously slithering to the far end of the couch. The monster did not follow, but she never took her eyes off him.

Finally she said, ”You have no significant metapsychic powers. Why did the Tanu give you a silver torc, then? For your prowess in the pleasure dome?”

Tony bridled. ”Certainly not. I was a very important person in Finiah. As a metallurgical engineer, my professional skills were highly valued. I was in charge of the entire barium extraction operation.”

”Interesting. That mine was our princ.i.p.al target, you know.

Madame Guderian pointed out to us that without a barium supply, the Tanu are unable to manufacture new torcs.”

Tony had the distinct feeling that he might have said too much. He hastened to add, ”The mine's completely buried in lava, you know. Not the remotest chance of its ever being opened again. Not in a million years.”

”Or six,” said Skathe.

Tony kept very quiet. The houri's body was melting, lengthening. The dreadful Skathe looked down at him and asked quietly, ”Why did you come through the time-gate, Tony?”

”Well ... it was very commonplace, really. My lover told me she was leaving me for another chap, my immediate superior.

We three worked together in the same facility, you see, and there was no question of their leaving. The situation became quite unbearable.”

”So you ran away.”

”Actually, I tipped the pair of them into an eight-hundredmeganewton forging press.”

The monster's eyes bugged. ”Te's t.i.tties!”

”It pa.s.sed as an accident at the time, but I knew that the Milieu's forensic redactors would catch up with me sooner or later. It seemed the sensible thing to leg it.”

Skathe patted Tony on the head. ”You know, I like you.”

”Then why not turn me loose? I'm never going to be any good for your experiment. Aside from being scared to death of you, I'm so tired that I could sleep for a week, and devilishly hungry besides.”

”Are you, by d.a.m.n!” She exploded in great gusts of laughter that brought Karbree to the compartment door. ”Sling that hamper of food and drink in here, Worm!” She tipped a wink to Tony. ”After you've eaten, get some rest. Strap into one of the soft seats so you won't be bothered by the rapids. I've got business to attend to down in Bardelask, but when that's over-we'll see about letting you go.”

Again, Tony dreamed. But this time it was about Finiah, flaming and devastated, with bodies heaped in the streets and Firvulag monstrosities gathering for their final a.s.sault on the palace gate, and Lord Velteyn and his Flying Hunt poised in the smoke, their brave battlecries ringing in his mind while he, Tony, hacked his way through a horde of Lowlife invaders, wielding an aquamarine sword.