Chapter 41

"I didn't want to put you in danger." I said. "I think you already are, though. I'm sorry about that."

She took my hand in both of hers.

- "What's the alternative, Ken? To live at the Narimac, and never go outside? Or to cut yourself off from everyone you know, so that no one but you is in danger?"

She was remarkably perceptive; I'd been thinking along those very lines, only a few nights ago. It sounded sillier when she said it that way.

"Your friends would rather support you, and help. You can't expect us to let you face your adversaries alone."

We sat in silence for a moment. Then I remembered something she'd said earlier.

- "You said that you'd been thinking, too."

- "Yes."

I didn't press her. I did reach over, with my free hand, to stroke her fingertips. Other than that, I just waited. Aressine was not an impetuous person; more often than not, she was very deliberate, taking her