03. Gods at the Well of Souls by Jack L. Chalker Read Free Book Online Page A

all  the way with it. If he is found, then I will still be me, and if he wants more,  well, Erdomese are polygamists. Actually, I have had more dark thoughts about  Lori since consulting with Drinh." 
     
    "Huh? What do you mean?" Tony asked her. "Well, everybody says that the clinic  works with criminal gangs, and we know who is most likely to have that kind of  clout and protection. Suppose there is a really good reason why nobody has seen  a trace of Lori or Mavra. Suppose they were two of the clinic's guinea pigs for  its ambitious experiments. He said he could actually make me look Agonese. What  could he make either of them into?" 
     
    "Oh, my I" Tony exclaimed, sounding exactly like Anne Marie. 
     
    "But that makes putting yourself in their hands even worse!” Anne Marie  protested. "If they did do something to Lori, something monstrous, then they  almost certainly know who you are. Suppose they think you're really there to spy  on them! That you're on to them! They could do something to you and then, when  it was noticed, say, 'Oops! Sorry! We made a big mistake! But it was  experimental and we didn't know everything about Erdomese women and you were  warned of the dangers.' What could we do? Nothing!" 
     
    "I thought of that, but I do not think they are the kind to panic, and I really  believe they will be extra careful not to do anything wrong simply to keep us at  a dead end. Besides, if I do not do something, I am going to go crazy. If they  are the ones who stole the life I was content to lead, then they owe me a life  of independence at least." 
     
    "I have a bad feeling about this," both centauresses said in unison, another  thing they did more and more often. "But if you are determined, we will not  stand in your way." 
     
    "Thank you." 
     
    "If they do anything other than what they promised . .." said one. "... Then we will be on them like a ton of lead," the other finished. They set up an appointment with Doctor Drinh. 
     
    Alowi sat there on the stool as before, in the outer office, feeling nervous but  determined. 
     
    Drinh was the competent physician now, taking final samples, giving her a  thorough checkout, and running the resulting data through his medical computers.  Finally he said, "All seems in good order. All that remains is to ask once again  if you really wish to go through with this, because once done, it is done." She nodded. Sorry, Lori, but I just can't stand this otherwise. "I would not  have returned if I had not already decided. Let me get it over with." Doctor Drinh walked to the back of the office and opened a compartment, removing  a clear rectangular container in which there was some equally clear liquid. He  took out an Agonian syringe, which resembled a small flashlight with two nubs,  put it against the container, and pushed a button on the syringe. Almost  instantly the fluid was gone, drawn into the syringe. He then walked over to  where Alowi sat and stood by her. "This is it," he told her. "Say no now or it  is done." She swallowed hard. "Do it." 
     
    She felt the two nubs of the syringe against her right rump, then a sudden  tingling sensation much like a minor electric shock, and then nothing. The doctor put away the syringe and replaced the container. She sat there a  moment, wondering what was next. "You may go now," he told her, sounding  satisfied. 
     
    She felt surprise. "That is it? That is all there is?" 
     
    "That's it. Period. You might feel some dizziness or disorientation off and on,  and you might run a slight fever, so take it very easy for a few days. There  might also be some confusing or bizarre dreams and thoughts for a bit, but that  should last only a day or two. You should certainly notice a lessening in your  tension by tomorrow at the latest. Also, I would walk back rather than ride if  you feel up to it. It will help distribute the serum in your system." She got up. "I hope it works," she