Cat-footed, Craig slipped inside ... stood taut and breathless, waiting. But no sound came, no sign of guards or trouble. Craig's scalp prickled. This was too pat, too easy. But trap or not, here lay his only chance at Vydys, his only hope of reaching Narla. Shadow-silent, he moved down the hallway to twin kresh-wood doors, one set on each side of the passage. Craig pressed each in turn. But they were locked; they would not budge. Raw-nerved, he moved on again. Now came a short stair, leading down. At the bottom, a heavy door barred the passage. Walking softly, the Earthman descended. Reached for the door. * * * * * It swung wide before he even touched it. Light blazed, so bright he fell back a step, half-blinded. A voice said, "Welcome, Craig Nesom!" The voice of Vydys. Craig pivoted. But now, behind him, the kresh-wood doors had opened. Guards stood at the ready, weapons poised. Craig faced the light again. It shone like a dazzling wall. Even shielding his eyes, Craig could see nothing for its brilliance. Vydys' voice commanded, "Come forward, alien! I would not harm you." He sucked in a breath; stepped across the threshold. Hands shot out ... seized him ... held him helpless while they wrenched away his fire-gun and his dagger. Then, incredibly, Vydys was saying, "Away, guards! Leave us." And he was free again and stumbling forward, the door slamming shut behind him. Groping, he drew himself erect; turned, searching for the woman. But still there was only the blazing silver light, dazzling him to blindness. Her laughter rippled out of nowhere, a sound to sting him to impotent fury. He lashed out: "How long do I stand here, woman? Do you fear to face me?" "Fear you--?" She laughed again, and now there was a new note in her voice, an element he could not name or place. "No, warrior, I do not fear you." Even as she spoke, the dazzling light was fading. Like a wall dissolving, the veil of its brilliance fell away. Vydys stood before Craig, high on a dais. Blinking, he stared up at her. The ripe lips curved into a smile. Sinuous cat-graceful, she moved towards him, sleek silvery body-sheath shimmering as she descended. "You see, Earthman? I told you I did not fear you." He stared down into the midnight eyes, black and unfathomable as the void itself. "Then what--?" The scarlet lips parted. She swayed against him. "Kiss me, alien!" Involuntarily, Craig stiffened. "What--!" The woman laughed softly. "Is it so strange a concept, alien? Am I so old, so drab, so ugly?" Craig could find no words. "We are as one in so many ways, Craig Nesom," dark Vydys went on. "Fear is not in us, nor yet mercy. We know what it means to strike with daring. Both of us hold ruthless to our hatred for Lord Zenaor." Still Craig did not move. "And because we both hate Zenaor, I should kiss you?"