Read Online Get Off the Unicorn by Anne McCaffrey - Free Book Online

Afra back at Callisto tonight.”
    Damia hesitated. “Afra had better come along, then, for a second look around.” She looked challengingly at Afra, who shrugged.
    This was, however, unexpected luck. Afra had thought he might have to follow Larak and Damia surreptitiously. He switched the boosters up to the top, and signaled Damia and Larak to get into their capsules. While they did so, he called Jeff and the Rowan to stand by, then settled into his own shell, reassured by their sustaining presence in his mind.
    Is there any possible chance we’re wrong about Sodan’s intentions, or the depth of Damia’s emotional commitment?
pleaded the Rowan.
    Less and less,
Afra told her, grimly.
We’ll know soon for certain. Larak needled her last night. She’ll have to check to make sure he’s wrong.
    Then he touched Damia and Larak, and all three went the mere half-light further to the ship and Sodan.
    You have rested well and are strong today,
was the cool greeting after an instant’s welcoming flash.
    Damia instinctively covered against the discovery of her co-riders, but the greeting stuck in her mind. There was the hint that Sodan did not wish her so strong, and yet a tinge of relief colored that fleck of thought.
    You come nearer to physical contact with us every day,
she began.
    Us?
Sodan queried.
    My planet, my people . . . me.
    I’m only interested in you
, he replied.
    But my people will be interested in you,
she parried unable to censor from Afra and Larak the pleasure she felt in his compliment.
    There are many people on your planets?
he asked.
    Planet.
    At least, Afra concluded, she remembered to be politically discreet.
    Doesn’t your sun have several life-supporting satellites?
    That is why I must know more about your physical requirements.
Damia replied smoothly.
After all, my home world may not have the proper atmosphere . . .
    My physical wants are attended to,
Sodan replied coldly, with a slight emphasis on the second word.
    It was the Rowan who caught the infinitesimal break in his shielding, and simultaneously all four minds stabbed at the area to lay it bare. Sodan, torn by this powerful invasion, lashed back in self-defense with a vicious blow at Damia, whom he thought perpetrated the attack.
    No, no! Not I, Sodan,
she screamed.
Larak, what are you doing?
    Afra struggled frantically to become the focus of the other minds, only to find himself caught in Larak’s mind with the Rowan and Jeff, as the curious bond between brother and sister snapped into effect.
    He must be destroyed before he can destroy you, Damia,
the Larak-focus said, tinging its inexorable decision with the regret it felt.
    No! I love him. His mind is so brilliant,
cried Damia, pitting her own strength against her peers to defend her lover. The Larak-focus staggered back, unable to prosecute and attack against such a combination.
    Damia, he is only a mind!
    Stunned, Damia hestitated, and the Larak-focus plunged forward again, battering against the shielded Sodan.
    Only mind?
She gasped, begging Sodan to deny it.
    Why no vision? Why no sound? He is only a brain, devoid of all except remembered emotion. He is bound here to destroy. Feel the heavy stuff in the ship? Is that customary for a peaceful scouting expedition?
    You’re against me, against me. No one wants me to be happy,
cried Damia, suddenly aware, terribly aware of her loving blindness.
He loves me. I love him.
    If he has nothing to hide, he will let you see,
the Larak-focus continued implacably.
    Let me see you, Sodan.
Damia was pleading, desperately, hopefully.
    For what seemed an eternity, Sodan hesitated.
    If I could, I would,
he said softly and with honest regret.
    Like a vengeful sword, her mind, freed from the infatuation Sodan had artfully fostered, gathered and sprang with the others to destroy the aggressor. For Damia now understood the purpose behind Sodan’s impersonality. The battle was waged in the