"I'm not a child."
"That's what I told Ian,but I find myself in a position of trying to relegate you to a status whereyou'll be safe from me."
"I am safe fromyou," she said defiantly.
"No, you're not." Hemet her gaze. "Not if I choose to make it so. I'm very good at making theforbidden seem irresistible." He glanced away from her and said lightly,"My experience as a running patterer, no doubt. I spent a great deal oftime and effort learning that trade. At any rate, I refuse to rob you again, soI believe we'll try to keep you in the realm of childhood."
"You have no—"
"May I ask what you'redoing here?" Li Sung stepped out of the bushes and limped toward them."Besides making so much noise, I was forced to tramp through this mud tofind out who was approaching."
"This is Ruel MacClaren.He's going to help us get Kartauk away from Kasanpore." She handed Li Sungthe knapsack she carried and turned to Ruel. "This is my friend, Li Sung.He'll take you the rest of the way to the temple. I'll join you later."
"Where are yougoing?" Ruel asked.
"I'm going to retrace mysteps to be sure we weren't being followed."
"After all that weavingto and fro? Aren't you being a little too careful?"
"No," she saidbaldly.
A flicker of indefinableemotion crossed his face. "I believe I may have to take measures to ridyou of that distrust. It's becoming tiresome and may get in the way."
"He's not to betrusted?" Li Sung asked Jane.
"Within limits. Take himto Kartauk."
She turned and walked awayfrom them.
"How far is it to thistemple?" Ruel asked as he followed Li Sung through the jungle.
"Not far."
"Why hide in atemple?"
"Kartauk wanted it."
"Why?"
Li Sung didn't answer.
"Why?" Ruelrepeated.
Li Sung glanced over hisshoulder. "You ask many questions."
"Because your answersdon't reveal very much."
"They're not supposed to.Jane doesn't trust you."
"And is her judgmentinfallible?"
"No, she has a lovingnature and wants to believe in people. It has often caused her greathurt."
"Then, since she doesn'tbelieve in me, I'm no threat to her."
"Unless you've alreadyhurt her."
"And what would you do ifI had?"
