Krysty had been leaning against the sill, gazing through the thick glass through which the central courtyard of the ville could be seen. She was in tune with Gaia, the Earth Goddess, and being locked away from her like this hurt Krysty, driving a wedge of discomfort through her soul. Unimpressive to begin with, the Alaskan sun had dwindled to nothing outside, and the room itself had been left lit only by the gas lamps that were dotted between the tapestries. At the far end of the cell, the door began to draw back. Immediately, Krysty was on her feet, her hand automatically brushing to the place where her blaster should be...would have been had she not been disarmed. Beside her, Mildred had stood up, too, the strap of her satchel yanked swiftly over her shoulder. The two women looked at each other, silently wondering if this was it, if this was to be their chance at escape. Around them, the other women had tensed, watching the opening door with wary eyes.
