Perhaps a bath and relative safety had affected his taste buds.That night, yet again, Monty slept alone.Life on the farm was a revelation. Monty knew ...rom his studies that marriage on Chaos was frequently for convenience, or as on medieval Earth, arranged for financial or political purposes. Plural marriages were not so common. As he observed the flow of relationships of the large plural marriage, it was obvious that respect and affection prevailed but that some bonds were stronger. The. " Yeah, I know." That's funny, Kate. Did you actually have a reason to call me, otherthan checking if I'm up?" Sure. Mom and I want to know if you're coming home for Halloween." We'll see. I guess I'd like to, but something might turn up." Such as what? When will you know?" I'm not really sure about that either. I'll give you a call tomorrow." Come on, why not spend some quality time with your family? It's notlike we see each other every day anymore, and I don't believe you'rereally all that. It could have even been a telling sign: that I had given Emma all she needed. Weak all over, I lay there on top of her.She held me but didn’t say anything. I didn’t know what to say either. This was harder than I thought it would be.I closed my eyes for a second, but a bright light pierced my lids.“What’s going on?” Emma asked.The light seemed to be coming from between us.I pushed myself up to find out.The light came from my chest, or, more accurately, from my Magus mark, which hovered only an. I was also painfully shy and inexperienced. I heard my brother come in with one of his dates. HE was popular. He never spent Saturday nights alone. His room was right next to mine. He was older than me by four years. He was 21. I listened to him lead the latest slut to his bedroom. She was giggling inanely. I could hear her playful protests through the wall... “Evan, no.... you wont respect me.” Then the little laugh. Within minutes I heard her moaning and knew that my brother had scored.