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bulb and looked into her eyes.
* * * *
Drexelica had survived for a long time in the roughest regions of Griven,
stealing and cozening what she needed to survive, but, in truth, she had had
little time to care for anybody or anything. Since her parents had died, five
years before, she had lived on her nerves and her will to survive, living from
hand to mouth; she had never had any time to spare for others.
Since her whirlwind rescue from the tender mercies of the Griven city guards,
she had begun to regard Questor Grimm with something approaching adoration. He
appeared so strong and confident, but she could feel the undercurrent of
unease he felt with the world and, in particular, with women; she had decided
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that he needed a woman in his life, whether he knew it or not. More than
that,she needed him .
For most of her short life, she had concerned herself only with the problems
of day-to-day survival, but now she felt other emotions stirring within her.
For the first time since her parents had died, Drexelica had seen another
human acting out of compassion for her . She knew Grimm could have left her
in that cold guard-house without a second thought; by the laws of Griven, he
had every right to do so. She knew she had lived more as a fearful, sus-
picious animal than a human being for those long years, but Grimm had opened
her eyes to the prospect of a better life.
The young mage might be gruff at times, and distant, but Drex's natural empa-
thy told her this was only due to his lack of familiarity with members of the
opposite sex. She considered Grimm's older colleague, Xylox, a sour, crabbed
man, and she saw little warmth, or even humanity, in his soul. Although she
might not have felt too bothered to see the haughty, disdainful man hurt, but
she regarded Grimm in a different light. She yearned to make him react to her,
and she could not bear the thought of his untimely death. She no longer saw
her relationship with the Questor as an obligation: she loved him with all her
heart, and she would do anything she could for him.
* * * *
"Please don't."
A faint, mumbled phrase tumbled from the girl's lips; a soft plea.
"Why is that? Deeks taunted. Perhaps poor little Drex doesn't want her
darling Grimm hurt. Is that right?"
After a few, uncomfortable moments the girl nodded, all traces of defiance
gone from her face and her manner. She looked young, defenceless and quite
delectable, and Deeks wanted her to surrender to him. That would make his
conquest all the more satisfying.
"Well then, the Technician said, his voice low and lascivious. What can you
do for me to make sure that nothing nasty happens to poor little Grimm?"
"You couldn't hurt him, she said, bluffing. He'd blow you apart."
"Oh well, in that case you won't mind if I just say those few little words,
will you?"
"Don't. Drex's voice emerged little louder than a soft breeze, and she
trembled with evident emotion.
This made her appear all the more desirable to the lusty Tech. We'll just
have to see about that, he breathed. Why don't you try to change my mind?"
Drex did nothing, and Deeks strode towards her, his brows lowered. Well come
on, then; I won't wait forever, he snapped. Come on!"
At that moment, the ceiling collapsed in a hazy shower of metal, plastic and
plaster. Deeks heard a single word:'Sh'k'krar'eka'.
His eyes opened wide as he made out the figure of Questor Grimm, standing
within a pale fog of particles. It was the last thing he ever saw. Deeks eyes
bulged, and he pressed his hands to his chest, his face purpling. The Tech
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thrashed for a few moments, his darkening face twisted into a ghastly rictus,
and he then fell to the floor like a toppled pencil.
Agony filled Deeks world, and he found himself drifting towards a distant
light. As the blazing circle grew larger, he felt his pain melting away in its
fierce heat. Now there was only peace and contentment.
It's lovely,he thought, appreciating true beauty in the abstract sense for
the first time in his life. His hatred for Terrence, for Armitage, for
everyone who had ever slighted or belittled him faded with the light, and
Deeks knew peace at last.
* * * *
"It's over, Drexelica, Grimm said, as the girl rushed into his arms. He
stood motionless, awkward and stiff as she hugged and kissed him, tears in her
eyes.
"Thank you, Grimm,thank you, she sobbed. I knew you wouldn't leave me. I
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