Chapter 170

Fit in? Had someone actually said she could belong?

A cartwheel was unseemly, as was a mad giggle. Those kinds of actions weren't appropriate, so Lilith stifled them. She allowed herself to only utter a poised, "Thank you."

Remember your manners. Someone used to say that to her a long, long time ago, but she could never picture the face behind the words. Just an impression it came from a woman.

Mother.

You have no mother. Said by her father, who seemed to ignore the reality that human organisms required opposing sexes to procreate.

Lilith locked that debate away with the other parts of herself that weren't allowed to surface. Logical minds did not dwell on thoughts that did not advance their cause.

But crazy ones do. Giggle.

She ignored the other voice and concentrated on the screen. While those around her prepared for battle, she cast her senses out, or tried to. The fabric of her jumpsuit continued to dull her senses. That wouldn't do at all, not with the task ahead of her.