Air Apparent by Piers Anthony Read Free Book Online Page A

you’re up to, he may kill Hugo. But I’m sure you’ll be able to manage.”
    Debra did not share her sureness, but it seemed pointless to argue the case. She would simply have to do the best she could.
    Slowly her lightness faded, and her four hooves came to rest on the floor. Now the Gorgon conducted her to a courtyard open to the sky. “Keep yourself heavy, and try your wings.”
    Debra tried. Her wings spread beautifully, every feather perfect. When she pumped them, they sent air washing down, trying to heave her body into the air.
    “You will have to use your tail as a rudder,” the Gorgon said. “You don’t want to spin out of control. Try a very brief flight now.”
    Debra did, this time lightening herself with extreme caution. She flexed her wings, and rose a little—and spun crazily, tilting and bobbing.
    “That’s probably enough for the day,” the Gorgon said. “Rest now, and think about it, and we’ll practice more tomorrow.”
    Debra was glad to agree. They went back inside, and the Gorgon gave her a room piled with pillows so she could flop down without much concern for injury. What a day this had become!
    She slept well, but woke early with a full bladder. She got up and looked for a bathroom, but found none—and how could her huge equine body possibly fit in it anyway, or use its facilities? This was an embarrassing problem.
    Wira appeared, her sensitive hearing alerting her. “May I help you?” she inquired politely.
    “I need to—to pee,” Debra blurted.
    “Just go outside and do it anywhere.”
    “I can’t do that! It’s far too public and, well, messy. I need a—I don’t know what I need, but I’m desperate.”
    “Centaurs have no hang-ups about natural functions,” Wira reminded her. “That includes urination, defecation, regurgitation, and of course sex.”
    “Sex! I’m only thirteen.”
    Wira nodded. “Oh, that’s right. But you see, centaurs have different rules of behavior. They don’t use storks to deliver their young, and they don’t have any Adult Conspiracy, though they honor it in the presence of humans. You might say they humor us. So you are free to do anything you choose, anywhere, publicly or privately.”
    “I think I’m still too human,” Debra said. “It’s bad enough showing my bare torso; I can’t do—natural functions—in public.”
    “Then make your way out to the garden in back and do it privately. No one will mind.”
    “Thank you.” Debra did that, and found a nice garden thick with concealing trees and shrubs. There she was able to relieve herself in decent privacy. She was coming to understand that there was more to becoming a flying centaur than just learning the mechanisms of lightening her body. It would be a problem adapting to centaur conventions, but she would make the effort.
    “That was impressive,” a young man said.
    Debra jumped, literally. “I thought I was alone!”
    “What does it matter? You’re a centaur. I might have a problem dumping that amount of fluid, but of course you don’t.”
    “Of course,” Debra agreed, trying valiantly to stifle a blush.
    “Hello. I’m Timothy. My talent is to summon animals: ants, bees, bulls, whatever. I was practicing here in the garden, and thought I’d try a winged centaur, just for variety.”
    “I’m not an animal!”
    “That’s why it’s a challenge. Who are you? Another querent serving her year of Service?”
    “Yes.” She braced herself. “I’m Debra.”
    Tim gazed at her front. “Funny thing. I just had the oddest urge to—but of course you’re not wearing one.”
    “That’s my curse. It’s why I’m here.” She changed the subject. “I met someone with your name outside.”
    “That was Timur, not the same at all.”
    So it wasn’t. “I apologize for my mistake.”
    “Don’t worry about it; everyone confuses us at first.” He glanced past her. “Ah, there’s Psyche. We’ve been seeing each other during our Service. Hey, Psyche!”
    The girl