13

Humans were kept drugged for days—drugged, and guarded, each individual or pair by an ooloi.

“Imprinting is the best word for what they’re doing,” Nikanj told Joseph. “Imprinting, chemical and social.”

“What you’re doing to me!” Joseph accused.

“What I’m doing to you, what I’ve done to Lilith. It has to be done. No one will be returned to Earth without it.”

“How long will they be drugged?”

“Some are not heavily drugged now. Tate Marah isn’t. Gabriel Rinaldi is.” It focused on Joseph. “You aren’t. You know.”

Joseph looked away. “No one should be.”

“In the end, no one will be. We dull your natural fear of strangers and of difference. We keep you from injuring or killing us or yourselves. We teach you more pleasant things to

do.”

“That’s not enough!”

“It’s a beginning.”