she could not allow herself or barack to read those secret desires and needs . barack struck without warning , going from passive restraint to swift and immediate action . his mind thrust itself into hers , taking possession of her as surely as if he had claimed her body for his own . syndil found she could not resist him , whether because she was just too drained by the energy she had expended healing the earth or because she was helpless before the determination , the single-mindedness of
barack

'' make it twenty and you 're on . '' it did n't take ryder long to whip his brother soundly . he stuck his hand out . '' pay up . '' then he scowled . '' and do n't give me that age-old story about not having any money on you . that game 's old and tired and ready for the
grave

'' no , she knows ' tis a rare occasion , and that we mark the passing of a man well esteemed in our company today . '' the man 's florid nose belied the rarity of the occasion , but caleb kept the thought to himself . '' you speak wisdom , amos . '' elijah turned to another man sitting across from them . '' nathan , i do n't know if you 've met my son ,
caleb