Before Maggie quite knew she was doing it, shehad reached out and grabbed the front of Sylvia's green Gore-Tex jacket with both hands.
Something sparked in Sylvia's eyes. For a moment, she looked startled and interested and grudgingly respectful. Then she sighed again, smilingfaintly.
"And now you're going to kill me?"
"Listen, you…"Maggie leaned in. She stopped."Listen to what?"
Maggie blinked. Her eyes were stinging suddenly.The smoke from the incense burner was rising directly into her face.
"You…"
I feel strange, Maggie thought.
Very strange. Dizzy. It seemed to come over herall at once. There was a pattern of flashing gray spreading across her vision. Her stomach heavedand she felt a wave of queasiness.
"Having a problem?" Sylvia's voice seemed tocome from far away.
The incense.
It was rising right in her face. And now…
"What did you do to me?" Maggie gasped. Shereeled backward, away from the smoke, but it wastoo late. Her knees were horribly rubbery. Herbody seemed to be far away somehow, and the sparkling pattern blinded her completely.
She felt the back of her legs come up against abed. Then they simply weren't supporting her anymore; she was slithering down, unable to catch herself with her useless arms. Her lips were numb.
"You know, for a moment there, I thought Imight be in trouble," Sylvia's voice was sayingcalmly. `But I was wrong. The truth is that you'rejust an ordinary girl, after all. Weak and powerlessand ordinary. How could you even thinkabout going up against me? Against my people?"
Am I dying? Maggie wondered. I'm losing myself.I can't see and I can't move….