And consider, _Larree_, if the handmaiden, the _choya_ comes, I can vanish--so"-- the mocking head disappeared, burst forth again--"and slay her with the _Keth_--or bid my people seize her and bear her to the Shining One!" Tiny beads of sweat stood out on O'Keefe's forehead, and I knew he was thinking not of himself, but of Lakla.
"What do you want with me, Yolara ?" he asked hoarsely.
"Nay," came the mocking voice.

"Not Yolara to you, _Larree_--call me by those sweet names you taught me--Honey of the Wild Bee-e-s, Net of Hearts--" Again her laughter tinkled.
"What do you want with me ?" his voice was strained, the lips rigid.
"Ah, you are afraid, _Larree_." There was diabolic jubilation in the words.

"What should I want but that you return with me?
Why else did I creep through the lair of the dragon worm and pass the path of perils but to ask you that?
And the _choya_ guards you not well." Again she laughed.

"We came to the cavern's end and, there were her _Akka_.

And the _Akka_ can see us--as shadows.