QUERIES V

Close to him, the jaguar-man stirred, bringing Kane's attention snapping back to him. Feeling vulnerable, not knowing what was real and what was illusion, he forced his body to his feet once again, facing the man.

"Let me aid you," Lefa offered, frowning as he observed the sheen on Kane's skin. He kept his voice low and friendly, seeing the sudden flare of heat in the vampire hunter's eyes.

"Are your wounds so terrible?"

Kane shook his head. He could not afford to go drifting between worlds. Not when he didn't know friend from enemy. That only put him in more danger than ever, yet he couldn't seem to stop it. One moment the forest would be vivid with brilliant colors and the familiar, comforting night sounds, and the next, it would be a dull version, the colors muted and hazy, the shadows alive with something not alive, yet not dead. He made an effort to force his mind back to the situation, to extract as much information as possible when he had the opportunity.

"Do you know wh