Nikia awakened abruptly to the sound of helicopter blades overhead. It was such an incongruous sound to the peacefulness of Temhoe that it awakened fear immediately. Atar was spooning her from behind and she turned to waken him but found his eyes already open, alert and full of wariness. “Do you think it’s those men?”“Who else would it be?” He rolled into a sitting position, gaining his feet to move to the window. Over his shoulder, as he parted the curtains, he said, “You have to tell me why those men want you, Nikia. What did your mother do to provoke them?”She shook her head, aghast. “Nothing. It’s not me they want. What have you done?”“It can’t be me. Time has killed off my enemies.” He cursed then, letting the drapes close as he hurried back to her. “Hurry and dress. The chopper landed, letting off four people. They seem to be carrying rifles or submachine guns.”Nikia got up so quickly her head spun. She rushed from the bedroom, searching for the clothing Oksana was supposed to have left.
