“Lara, how do you feel about killing these ceph … these land squid?”

“Better them than us.”

“I’m surprised to hear you say that, after working so closely with Oscar and Sophia.”

“Who?”

“The two Megaleledone setebos you brought on board Oceanus. You know? The octopus species ‘that never left home.’”

“Right, Oscar and Sophia … it’s been so long I completely forgot. Ike, Oscar and Sophia were docile pets, these creatures are fiends. Our first summer here, they destroyed Bella’s garden and most of our food supply. They could have killed us at any time, only they wanted to make us suffer first.” She pointed to a grass-covered hill set behind the southeast corner of the farmhouse. “We keep everything underground now—seed stock, feed for the livestock, plus animal oils for the lanterns.”

“You built that?”

“The depression was already there, part of a dried-up riverbed. We lined it with stone and mortar, then framed the hill using tree limbs and vines. Once the sod took root the shelter really solidified. When the summer wind season hits, it’s the safest place to be.”

“Where are the three octopeds?”

Handing me a palm-size pair of binoculars, she pointed south to a cluster of oak trees about two hundred yards away. Catching movement, I spotted Monique and Bella circling east and west respectively, the two women moving steadily yet clumsily through the tall grass. I knew Andie was close, but the huntress would not be seen.

“Enough. Your breakfast is getting cold.” Snatching the glasses from my hand, Lara led me inside by my elbow.

“Brown eggs?” I stared at the steaming concoction served on the plate-size leaf and felt ill.

“They’re lizard eggs, now eat them; you need the protein.” Picking a glob up with her fingers, she guided the food into my mouth.

I choked the scrambled yolks down, my mind still on Oscar—Lara’s mind obviously on something else. “We’re synchronized, you know.”

“Who’s synchronized?”

“Andie, Bella, and me. Not Monique, of course. Her menstrual cycle stopped months ago.”

“You’re trying to tell me you’re ovulating.”

“God sent you to us for a reason, Ike. Three beautiful women … you’re a lucky man.”

ABE retrieved an excerpt of my conversation with Kyle Graulus back on Oceanus: “OMEGA DREAMS ARE THE MOST VIVID DREAMS YOU CAN IMAGINE. DURING MY SECOND STASIS, I FELL IN LOVE WITH A BEAUTIFUL SOUTH AFRICAN WOMAN. WE WERE MARRIED AND RAISED A FAMILY. SHE WAS PREGNANT WITH MY SECOND CHILD WHEN I WAS AWAKENED. I MISS MY OMEGA FAMILY, I AM HOPING THEY WILL BE WAITING FOR ME WHEN I RETURN.”

Lara hugged me from behind, rubbing her greasy fingers over my lap.

“Lara, I’m sorry, this isn’t right. What if Andria were to come in?”