Perhaps this was not unique. this mixture. Someone had noted it before: noted it and declared it in words.

"You venture into Belials realm," Zina said to Emmanuel as she ate, "but would you have the courage to venture into my realm?"

What realm is that?" Emmanuel said. Elias Tate stared at the girl, and, equally puzzled, Herb Asher regarded her. But Emmanuel seemed to understand her; he showed no surprise. Despite his question, Herb Asher thought, he knows-knows already.

Zina said, Where I am not as you see me now.

An interval of silence passed, as Emmanuel pondered. He did not answer: he sat as if withdrawn, as if his mind had moved far away. Skimming countless worlds, Herb Asher thought. How strange this is. What are they talking about?

Emmanuel said slowly and carefully, I have a dreadful land to deal with, Zina. I have no time.'

A think you are apprehensive," Zina said. She turned to her slice of apple pie and mound of ice cream.

Emmanuel said.

"Come, then," she said, and, all at once, the color and fire,

the mischief and delight, showed in her dark eyes. '1 challenge you," she said. Here." She reached out her hand to the boy.

My psychopomp," Emmanuel said somberly.

"Yes; I'll be your guide.'

You would lead the Lord your God?"

"I would like to show you where the bells come from. The

land out of which their sounds come. What do you say?" He said, I will go."

"What are you two talking about?" Elias said, with apprehen- sion. "Manny, what is this? What does she mean? She's not taking you anywhere that I don't know about."

Emmanuel glanced at him.

"You have much to do," Elias said.

"There is no realm," Emmanuel said, "where I am not. If it is a genuine place and not fancy. Is your realm fancy, Zina?" "No," she said. "It is real." "Where is it?" Elias said. Zina said, "It is here."