
The Test The wet street mirrored the neon and the dark equally, impassively. At my feet, another life. I swallowed, knlet, felt her faltering pulse. I caressed her cheek. A caress like the angel of death. My throat tightened: Why do I stay? As if in response, the dyong girl whispered, "Hold me." "At what price such power?" asked Siehchang. And again: "At what price such knowledge?" I was silent. How could I respond? "Indeed," he said, "who can answer fully to destiny's price?"