'
'No..... No, I don't think so.' She struggled now, trying to
find the words to tell him that she came not only from a different
place, but from a different time as well. It didn't matter. She
wasn't going to have the chance. In their preoccupation with
themselves the three had forgotten the Mantis. Awakened by the noise of
their scuffle, it climbed toward the inadequate shelter even as they
spoke.
It was Akar who sensed his presence first. Though he could not be
certain of the scent, the wind being in the opposite quarter, the low,
scratching sound of hooked claws searching for footholds was
unmistakable. He did not try to run, nor even to alert the others, but
went without hesitation to wait for the monarch at the entrance of the
niche. He only hoped the Mantis would remember him.
'What is he doing?' asked the girl. At the same moment Kalus
heard a loosened stone sent plummeting to the bottom of the canyon. Its
dry echo sounded sharp and clear below.
'Sylviana, listen to me carefully.' He spoke firmly, moving
closer. 'The mantis is coming toward us. Do not cry out---he
probably won't hurt us. But you must do everything I say without
questions.'
'Go on,' she whispered intently, surprised by her own courage.
'When the Mantis appears at the entrance you must act helpless and
afraid, but afraid of him and not of me.
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