He could hear what sounded like an argument between a troop of mad apes and the grandfather of snakes. Those noises apparently radiated from the very ...irection where he had volunteered to go!But other sounds came also to his ears; perhaps smaller creatures generated them, but they sounded every bit as vicious, if not as ponderous as the bedlam from the north. Strangely, though, there was an underlying, almost disquieting rumble, that reminded him of the purring of the bobcat kept as a pet by. " But nothing," Lav assured him. "You would be surprised at just how formidable they can be; I know any enemy will be." But you haven't had anybody attack you for years," Nil continued. "It's not like they've been battle-tested." Neither have you," she countered. "But that does not matter. They are born with the knowledge they need. You will see, if it comes to that." Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Nil sighed.The Kushitic's long legs and ground-eating stride forced Nil and his guards to. . with an adoption lawyer," she said in a hushed voice, the blush blazing in the intermittent light from the street lights and occasional passing car.I was, to be honest, shocked. Lillian Haverstaam is a handsome woman in her late thirties with the body of a gymnast. It never would have occurred to me that she was gay, never mind had a partner and was trying to adopt a baby. "I ... see," was what slithered out of my usually more controlled mouth in a tone that was almost puzzled. "And I take it. ‘The plane was delayed at Changi but luckily I found a cabbie at Heathrow who was willing to break a few land speed records.’ There was a pause. ‘Hello, Lissy.’ Melissa opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out, hot colour surging into her cheeks as she felt his appraising glance. ‘It’s been a long time.’ No kidding, Melissa thought grimly, still unable to move. It’d been more than fourteen years. But before she could gather herself enough to respond she heard a door open. ‘Matt! I.