The Fourth Law

Chapter 12, Part 2

Her head was half gone as she stretched out her right hand toward Lily. Time seemed to slow as Lily moved as fast as she could... almost, almost...! Their fingers just hooking as her hand pulled Lily's into the ground as well. No! I don't have enough of a grip! No, God, no! Please... Ai!

She felt something from under the marshy ground. "She managed to grab your hand with her left!" Thaad yelled. "Pull, PULL!"

Lily squatted and pulled, but it seemed nothing moved.

"Let me help." A voice next to her. Fausta! Lily could care less about her issues right now.

"Yes! Help me!"

"Rescind your order."

"What the hell are you—"

"I cannot touch you unless you rescind your order."

"I do! Yes, just, hel—" The strong woman wrapped her arms around Lily's waist and...

A mountain; or a large hill, really, Lily thought. How interesting that an enormous Chinese dragon was entwined about its peak, its scales flashed all colors of fire. It knows I'm here. I should feel afraid, but... the dragon turned its massive head toward her, pinning her to the ground with its amber eyes. I should get in the car.

...lily...

Whose voice was that? Where was she?

...fausta...

Those names sounded familiar...

...I'm glad you could be friends...

Friends? Friend. Ai!

Lily was back on the path as Fausta almost lifted her straight up. Ai's head was almost free of the ground. Lily grabbed Ai's other hand and kicked up...!

Lily was on her hands and knees, trying to catch her breath. She was aware that Fausta stood a few feet away. Where was...!

Ai stepped in front of her, putting her hands under Lily's arms, and lifted her. She was safe! Without recalling the danger of touching, Lily threw her arms around her friend. Who hugged her right back.

"That was interesting," Thaad said drolly.

"Oh, pooh!" said Ai. "So I didn't anticipate the recovery. That's what friends," she squeezed Lily and waved at Fausta, "are for!"

"Ai!" Lily cried. "I'm so happy... that... you're..." Lily stared and stared.

"Yes," Ai said very gently. "I'm older now. Tell us, Lily. What do you see?"

Lily peered at Ai's face, slowly down and up, squinting through her glasses.

"You're prettier, somehow," Ai giggled a 'thank you!', "but it's as if you were made of millions of tiny stars... all different colors!"

"Very good! Now, Thaad."

Uncoiling from Ai, but still holding her hands, she looked at the youth. "He's gloomy as ever... but a tall mountain, covered in glaciers..." She shook just a little.

"Again, good! Now your new friend!"

Lily turned the opposite direction. Tall, muscular Fausta. "Her dragon's eyes look back at me from her fastness."

"My, such poetry!" To Lily's dismay, she released her hands. "And now, how do we appear?"

She looked at each again. What in the world? "The... second sight isn't there anymore."