It couldn't happen, Janethought numbly as she gazed at the ruin before her.
"What's the extent of thedamage?" Li Sung asked Dilam.
"Five miles of trackgone."
"And where were your fineguards?" Li Sung asked bitterly as he moved off the track toward the pathDanor had carved through the jungle.
Dilam shrugged. "We didnot expect him to strike this far from the base camp. It's nearly fifteen milesfrom where he did damage the last time."
"Five miles," Janemuttered. There was no way she could repair the damage by the end of the day.She could feel Ruel's gaze on her face and she knew she should try to hide hershock and panic. This was what he wanted her to feel and she mustn't give himthat satisfaction. She kept her gaze fixed straight ahead on the terribledamage inflicted by Danor so that she wouldn't have to see his gloatingsatisfaction. "It can't go on. We've got to stop this, Dilam."
Dilam did not look at her asshe turned and walked toward her horse. "I will go back to the crossingand fetch workers to clear the damage."
She was ignoring her words,Jane realized with frustration. The damn elephant could wreck her entire lineand Dilam would do nothing to stop him.
"Jane," Ruel said.
She suddenly could take nomore. Something inside her shattered, and despair turned to wild, recklessanger. "I suppose you're happy now. You've won."
"Aye, I've won."
The odd note in his voice madeher whirl on him. His expression reflected no mockery, none of the gloatingsatisfaction she had thought would be there. She could not fathom what he wasthinking. She didn'tcarewhat he was thinking. The rage explodingthrough her was a hot tide blurring everything in its wake. "But it's notenough for you, is it? You still want more. You want to see me on my knees.Isn't that what you said? You still want to punish me." Her eyes blazed athim. "Well, I'm going to give you your chance."
He stiffened."Indeed?"
"It's never going toend." Her words came fast, feverish. "I can see that now. Not untilyou think you've hurt me enough. Well, I can take anything you want to deal outto me. Go back to your damn summerhouse and wait for me."
"What?"
"You heard me. I'll cometo the summerhouse and let you do whatever you want to me. That's what youwant, isn't it?" The words tumbled out fiercely, feverishly. "Youwant to punish me. That's what you've always wanted. That's why I'm here."
"I've never deniedthat."
"Oh no, you were alwayshonest with me," she said bitterly. "Come to Cinnidar and I'll giveyou the world."
"I didn't say I'd give itto you. I said I'd give you the chance to win it."
"And I lost the firstbattle. Well, I'm not going to lose again. I'm going to finish the line ontime."
"What's that got to dowith you coming to the—"
"I don'twantyouhere. You get in my way. I want you out of my life. I don't want to see or hearor think of you again. I want you to stay away from me until my work isdone." Her voice was rising, but she made no attempt to control it."And you won't do that until you've had your fill of revenge. Well, I'mgiving you the opportunity to take it."
"I think you're too upsetto know what you're saying," he said slowly.
"I know I'm sick to deathof having you hover over me like a vulture. I know I want itover."
He stared at her flushed faceand glittering eyes for a long time. "By God, so do I!" He turned hishorse with a jerky motion. "Be at the summerhouse by sundown tomorrownight. Leave your horse at the palace stable and come on foot. I don't wantanyone to know you're there." He kicked his horse into a trot, headingsouth.
"What are we going todo?"
She turned to see Li Sunglimping toward her. She drew a deep breath, trying to hide her discomposure.
"Are we to let thiselephant continue with his destruction?" he asked.
"You know we can't dothat. We'll have to do something about him," she said curtly. "Butfirst we have to repair this damage."
"Again."
