en? Alex will be leaving in the morning. He never stays more
than a few hours." Eloise's eyes were bright, her lips moist and red.

"I'll pick the time," Kennon said--and added to himself, "If ever."
Despite her wealth Eloise was no different from the port-of-call girls.
If anything, she was worse since she had enough money to implement her
desires. They were merely in the trade for business reasons. No--Eloise
would be something to steer clear of. Alexander was right. She was a
mantrap. He stood up and bowed Betan fashion. "I see your brother is
free now. He wants to brief me on my duties here. We were discussing it
before we entered."

Eloise pouted. "You can always do that."

"You said yourself that Alexander never stays here very long. I would be
a poor employee if I delayed him." He grinned knowingly at her and she
smiled back with complete understanding.

"Very well, then. Get your business done. Your pleasure can wait."

Kennon steered Alexander over to an open window that led to a balcony.
"Whew!" he said. "I see what you mean."

"She's a tartar," Alexander agreed. "I suspect that she's a
nymphomaniac."

"You suspect?" Kennon asked. "By this time you should know. Let's get
out of here. I've had about all of your sister I care to take."

"Can't say as I blame you. I'll show you to your quarters. Maybe Old Doc
left a bottle or two, although I suspect the old sinner hung on until
the last one was empty."

"If he had to put up with your relatives as a steady diet, I can't say
that I blame him," Kennon said.

"Careful, Doctor. You're talking about my kinfolk," Alexander said
wryly. "At that, though, you have a point." The two men slipped quietly
from the room. Apparently none of the Family was conscious of their
departure except Eloise, who watched them leave with an enigmatic
expression on her narrow face.

They left the fortress through the rear gate and walked slowly down the
winding path that led to the cluster of buildings in the valley below.
It was a beautiful night, calm and clear with the stars shining down
from the dark vault of the heavens. The constellations were strange, and
Kennon missed the moons. Beta had three, two of which were always in the
sky, but Kardon was moonless. Somehow it gave the sky an empty look.

A damp coolness rose from the ground as the evening rain evaporated
mistily into the still air. Kennon sniffed the odor of soil and growing
vegetation, clean pleasant odors in co