I realised that the problem was one of distinguishing the original from the fake. It was my only advantage, my only realistic chance of escape.“Will...you let me go if I tell you which is which?” I asked as I eyed her slightly plump form.Meijin was dressed in a red silk gown with dragons twisting across the fabric in gold embroidery. As she leant over me I saw a flash of her breasts as the fabric briefly opened. Her face came over mine so close that I could smell her sweet perfume and her. Who was she talking to on the phone? Who did she wear those lacy undergarments for? Did she have a steady boyfriend? Christ, she was only nineteen at most. I found myself thinking about her more than Sharon. I was becoming obsessed. The following night I was again alone. I stopped for Chinese takeout since I didn't feel like cooking and really didn't have anything in the house worth cooking anyway. After finishing my shrimp with lobster sauce I read for a bit before settling on the bed in front. "I went home that evening with my head reeling, but not through excess this time. All day Barren had been tense, and as much as I liked the vampire, he had never been fond of the Elders or their ways. That thought set my mind to wandering.It all centred around Riordain, whoever he, or she was. I still suspected I was right. For whatever reason, Riordain was the hybrid. Hazan's words came back to me, that the letter was from the bearer of that name. I knew pretty well how people got messages to. I cannot make commitments about how others will behave, but I can make commitments as to how I will behave. Therefore, I plan to make the following commitments.First, I am going to college. There is no surprise in that. I dare say that every valedictorian in America will go on to college. No, my commitment is to go to a school that teaches science and engineering. Scientists and engineers invent and build things, and inventing and building things seems a whole lot more productive than buying.