“The neighbor would, sadly, be one of them,” Kaylin snapped.

“Sadly? You want the neighbor to be Immortal?”

“I’d like him to be some other race’s problem, yes.”

“It doesn’t work that way. I mean, I suppose you could fiddle with caste courts and maybe the caste courts could elect to grant someone racial status? But that’s not what you meant.”

“What is he doing?”

“Well, weeping, if you must know. He’s weeping very, very loudly. Mrs. Erickson is worried. Teela is disgusted. Mandoran has sauntered up the stairs, but has made no attempt to enter the house. He doesn’t like tears—they make him feel useless.”

“Funny how he doesn’t feel that way when he’s actually being useless,” Sedarias snapped.

“Ummm, something just flew out the window. The window was closed. Bits of glass are now rising and falling—I think whatever’s inside is trying to hit Teela. No chance it’ll work—she’s too far away. They should aim for Mandoran instead.”

That would be Jamal. “Helen, I need to leave.”

“I know, dear.” Her house sounded worried. “I think—from the sounds of things—Teela might actually appreciate your company.”

Kaylin didn’t manage to get out of the house alone; Terrano followed her like an unwelcome shadow. His expression, however, was serious enough that she didn’t bother with the pointless argument she’d otherwise have started; he was coming—for Mandoran’s or Teela’s sake, or his own—and she wasn’t going to be able to stop him. She saved herself minutes trying.

Terrano kept pace with Kaylin, who started out at a fast jog. He floated along beside her, as if he were a balloon she was pulling. When she slowed a bit to even out both pace and breathing, she snapped at him.

“Could you at least pretend this is taking some effort on your part?”

“It is—just not sweaty effort.”

“Sedarias’s eyes are always blue—why are yours?”

“Something’s wrong with the neighbor. With the house. With this entire situation. Teela knows it, but she’s not telling the rest of us anything.”

“So when you said Teela would appreciate my company—”

“That was Helen, not me. I thought the exact opposite, which is probably why Helen asked you to go. If it won’t disturb you too much, Serralyn thinks the neighbor thinks he’s in love with whoever he thinks Teela is.”

“And if it would?”

“Would what?”

“Disturb me?”

“Sucks to be you.”

Kaylin made it to Mrs. Erickson’s with time to spare—but only if she wanted to be witness to a weeping grown man.

Severn arrived three minutes later.

Kaylin stared at him. Why are you here?

He shrugged. Things involving Mrs. Erickson have become dangerous enough I thought you’d want backup.