tirely different point of view, and he moved
still closer to the Kin, again without realizing it. "Yes . . . yes, I
would." He did want the best for his people, and if he could get that
in a way that also let him be even closer to them--

He felt lips at his throat, hard sharpness under their warmth, and knew
he'd surrendered.

Then a large hand closed on his shoulder and he was pulled away, to
stumble back against Corporal Nkomo's chest. "What--"

"No marks, sir; you're safe."

Thompson took a deep breath, coming back to reality as his team
surrounded him. It seemed he'd been right when he told Audra he might
need protection from himself. "Thanks, Corporal. And the rest of
you."

"No problem, sir. Sergeant King said this might happen."

The Count smiled ruefully. "You have a very well trained team, Captain
Thompson--but they cannot be around you all the time. Sooner or later,
you will give in to your own desire."

He'd already come too close for comfort, Thompson thought bitterly.
The worst part of it was that it was himself he was fighting, not the
Count--and whichever way the fight went, he lost. "That may be, my
Lady, but they're here now. And they'll keep me from doing anything
I'd regret later."

"Indeed," the Count said politely. "Then you will stay and enjoy the
rest of the party."

That was an order, Thompson knew, not a request. "As my Lady Count
wishes," he said, trying to conceal resentment from the others, if not
from the Count herself.

"Good." The Count signalled a waiter, who approached carrying a tray
loaded with foam-topped mugs. "Your records say you have a fondness
for New Bavarian beer, something I doubt you can find very often. I
can recommend this; it is their Oktoberfest Doppelbock, a brew I
enjoyed myself before becoming a Kin."

Thompson didn't doubt that; it was a brew he'd heard quite a lot about,
though he'd never been able to afford any. He reached for a mug,
shaking his head when Nkomo tried to restrain him. "It's okay,
Corporal. I'm in danger of becoming a Kin, not being poisoned. But if
it'd make you feel better, you can taste it before I have any."

"I'll do that, sir." Nkomo took a deep drink, then handed the mug to
Thompson, shaking his head. "Whoo! That's beer?"

"It certainly is," the Count said with obvious amusement. "Rather
potent beer, I might add, though it is also quite smooth. Feel free to
drink all you wish; my medcenter has considera