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get here so quickly.”
    “Your brother?”
    Cowl snarled. “Who else? She saw him, and he acted very pleased to see her. I think he is trying to steal my mate before I can convince her that we are meant to be together.”
    Flare sighed, “Are you absolutely sure about that, Cowl?”
    Sarnvil looked at the man who had been his friend for eight years. “I am sure. The moment I touched her, I started to key to her. It has grown stronger with every touch, every kiss.”
    Twist nodded. “Sounds like a true match to me. I would feel lucky if I could find a woman who put half that smile in my voice.”
    Cowl chuckled. “It does give me a lightness of spirit, though I am still trying to figure out how Sarlok found out about her.”
    “Maybe you should ask Charm’s woman about that. I don’t know if she keeps the Guardian portraits hidden, even from other Guardians.”
    Sarnvil nodded, and he turned to watch Jianne playing tag with the surf. “I think I am going to make a call.”
     
    * * * *
     
    When she felt the skin on her nose crinkling, she stopped playing and walked back to the base. From this angle, it was an amazing structure built with huge panelled walls of plexi facing the sea. It was bright and faceted like a diamond.
    She felt the slight resistance of the shielding as she walked through it. It would keep out casual predators and could easily be boosted to be a far more effective defense.
    Jianne sat on the edge of the steps that led down to the sand and brushed the sand off her legs. She heard footsteps behind her and looked up to see Cowl crouch at the top of the steps. She got to her feet and climbed the five steps to sit beside him. “So, how bad would it have been to have installed that patch?”
    He shrugged. “It would have been exceedingly bad. You would have been a fixed target, just waiting for them. I am guessing that you realise that one of the intruders was related to me.”
    She twisted her lips. “There is a marked resemblance that goes beyond species.”
    “My brother is hunting for a mate just as I am, but I have found you, and he feels that you are close enough to suit him. He was expecting you to be helpless when he arrived.”
    “So, this goes beyond sibling rivalry, right? I mean, he doesn’t want me just because you do.”
    Cowl chuckled. “No. We have a population problem. All unmated males have to leave by their thirtieth year, females by thirty-five. Those who remain were fortunate enough to find matches, but the ones who take to the stars have to deal with the little problem caused by the nature of our very race. Our skin and scent hypnotizes.”
    “I gathered that. It explains the cowl and why you don’t use a sealed suit. Even if you don’t intend to enthral your enemy, you can still prime them with the pheromones.”
    He shrugged, not denying it. “Well, in any case. Instead of finding a female of his own, he has come after mine, and I am not going to let him get you.”
    “You are that sure?”
    “Contact Rhoda on Yacaro and find out for yourself. There is still time before dinner.”
    He was smiling, she could tell. “Fine. Which way to the com unit?”
    He surged upright and extended his hand to help her up. “Allow me to show you. Twist is on duty, but he knows all my secrets.”
    He twined his fingers with hers, and together, they walked into the glittering gem of a base and down the hall to the com centre.
     
    Seeing a Terran face made Jianne smile. “Hello, Rhoda.”
    “Greetings, Jianne. It is always good to see a familiar face.”
    “I know what you mean. As pretty as some of them are, they just aren’t quite right, are they?”
    Rhoda chortled, “You get used to it when you are married to one. Now, what can I do for you?”
    “What is the deal with you and the paintings?” Being blunt seemed the best approach.
    Rhoda rubbed the side of her nose with one finger, her white hair gleaming in the evening light of Yacaro. “Ah, that. Well, it is a kind of