Eye of the Comet Read Online Free PDF

could not tell what he was thinking. At last he lifted his eyes to hers. “That cannot affect our friendship. All of us are of Earth in a way, aren’t we?”
    “You don’t understand. The Earthpeople live like animals. Their lives are short. They lack our tools and our knowledge. I didn’t even come from a womb chamber as you did — I was expelled from a woman’s body.”
    Pilo started.
    “I was given to this world,” she continued, “because the Earthpeople didn’t want me. I was born without the mindpowers all of them have, and Earthfolk kill such children.” The boy’s eyes were wide with horror. “I was raised as a child of the Wanderer, but I’m not. My genes were a chance combination — I wasn’t even shaped and modified before birth. I don’t come from a comet world at all. Earth rejected me, and I don’t know if I can ever truly be one of you.”
    Pilo was clearly struggling with himself. He wrung his hands, glanced toward the lake, then covered his eyes. Shaking his head, he let his hands drop.
    “You live here now,” he said in a toneless voice. “You grew up on Home, so you are one of us. What you were before doesn’t matter.”
    Her gratitude was tainted with suspicion. Pilo would be too disciplined, too much in balance, to mention his repulsion outright, but he could not hide his feelings completely. He crossed his arms over his chest protectively, watching her through narrowed eyes.
    “Is that what you really think, Pilo?”
    “How could I feel otherwise?”
    She got up and took a step toward him. He threw out his hands, then scrambled up, tripped, and fell. Climbing to his feet again, he raced toward the trees.
    “Coward!” she screamed after him. “I see what you really think. Why don’t you say it?”
    He ran on without answering, disappearing among the trees.

    * * *

    A woman in flight was approaching the beach. Lydee watched as the woman landed gracefully on her feet and recognized the dark-brown skin and frizzy red hair of Reiho’s former mentor Etey. She had seen the woman’s image, but had never met her in the flesh.
    “I greet you, Lydee,” Etey said as she drew near.
    “What do you want?” Lydee shouted.
    The woman seemed unperturbed by Lydee’s lack of courtesy and seated herself so close to the girl that Lydee could have reached out and touched her. Lydee glared. Etey’s brown eyes were calm; she smiled as she wrapped her slender arms around her long, thin legs. “Why, what do you think I want? I wish to see the girl who is the wonder of the Refuge, who frightens little children with her wildness. I’m as curious as anyone.”
    “You know what I am. It’s your fault I’m here.”
    “Indeed it is. My fault that you’re not dead.”
    “Where’s Reiho? He’s my mentor. Why didn’t he come here?”
    “Why should he? It’s obvious you prefer to be alone. Speak to him through your link if you’ve changed your mind.” Etey tilted her head, still smiling. “As a matter of fact, I asked him not to come. He would only have commiserated with you, tried to console you, and fed your self-pity. You are feeling sorry for yourself, aren’t you? Why, you could easily restore your balance and allow yourself to grow calm, but apparently you wish to explore these emotions. Poor Lydee. How unfortunate you were to be snatched from death and given a life here.”
    Lydee clenched a fist. “Leave me alone.”
    Etey raised an eyebrow. “Chase me away. Go on. You can strike me with that fist, can’t you?”
    Lydee scowled. “Why bother?”
    “Why, indeed?” Etey reclined on one elbow. “So that you can prove to us all that you’re the savage you think you are, I suppose.”
    “One of my closest friends came to see me,” Lydee said. “Even he ran away when I told him what I was.”
    “Ah.” Etey’s eyes were unfocused for a moment; she was obviously communicating with Homesmind. “Yes, a boy was here earlier. Do you know what he’s doing now?”
    “Telling