So you could steal it, Gredel thought, but didnt say it. She headed for the door, and just before it swung shut behind her she heard Antonys parting shot. You better not take out that implant! You get pregnant, youre out of this place! Im not looking after another kid that isnt my own!

  Like hed ever looked after any kid.

  Gredel left the building with her fists clenched and a blaze of fury kindled in her eyes. Children playing in the front hall took one look at her and got out of her way.

  It wasnt until the train was halfway to Maranic Town that the anger finally ebbed to a normal background buzz and Gredel began to wonder if Caro would be at home, if she would even remember meeting her the previous night.

  Gredel found the Volta Apartments quickly now that she knew where it was. The doormanit was a different one this timeopened the door for her and showed her right to the elevator. Clearly he thought she was Caro. Thank you, Gredel smiled, trying to drawl out the words the way a Peer would.

  She had to knock loudly, several times, before Caro came to the door. Caro was still in her short dress from the previous night, and tights, and bare feet. Her hair was disordered, and there was a smear of mascara on one cheek. Her slitted eyes opened wide as she saw Gredel at the door.

  Earthgirl, she said. Hi.

  The doorman thought I was you. I came over to see if you were all right.

  Caro opened the door and flapped her arms, as if to say,I am as you see me. Come in, she said, and walked toward the kitchen.

  The apartment was still a mess, and the air smelled stale. Caro went to the sink in the little kitchen and poured herself a glass of water.

  My mouth tastes like cheese, she said. The kind with the veins in it. I hate that kind of cheese.

  She drank her water while Gredel walked around the disorderly apartment. She felt strangely reluctant to touch anything, as if it was a fantasy that might dissolve if she put a finger on it.

  So, she said finally. You want to go and do something?

  Caro finished her water and put down her glass on a counter already covered with dirty glasses. I need some coffee first, she said. Would you mind going to the café on the corner and getting some for me while I change?

  What about the coffee maker? Gredel asked.

  Caro blinked at the machine as if she were seeing it for the first time. I dont know how to work it, she said.

  Ill show you.

  I never learned how to do kitchen stuff, Caro said as she made way for Gredel in the kitchen. Till I came here, we always had servants. I had servants here, but I called the last one a cow and threw her out.

  Whats a cow? Gredel asked.

  Theyre ugly and fat and stupid. Like Berthe when I fired her.

  Gredel found coffee in a cupboard and began preparing the coffee maker. Do you eat cows, or what? she asked.

  Yeah, they give meat. And milk too.

  We have vashes for that. And zieges. And swine and bison, but they only give meat.

  Gredel made coffee for them both. Caros coffee cups were paper thin and delicate, with a platinum ring around the inside and a design of three red crescents. Caro took her cup into the bathroom with her, and after a while Gredel heard the shower. She sipped her coffee as she wandered around the apartmentthe rooms were nice, but not that nice. Lamey had places just as good, though not in such an exclusive building as this. There was a view of the Iola River two streets away, but it wasnt that nice a view; there were buildings in the way, and the window glass was dirty.

  Then, because she couldnt stand the mess any longer, Gredel began to pick up the scattered clothes and fold them. She finished that and was putting the dirty dishes in the washer when Caro appeared, dressed casually in soft wool pantaloons, a high-necked blouse, and a little vest with gold buttons and lots of pockets slashed one on top of the other. Caro looked around in surprise.

  You cleaned up!

  A little.

  You didnt have to do that.

  I didnt have anything else to do. Gredel came into the front room. She looked down at one of the piles of clothing, put her hand down on the soft pile of a sweater she had just folded and placed neatly on the back of a sofa. You have some nice things, she said.

  Thats from Yormak cattle. They have wonderful wool. She eyed Gredels clothing. What youre wearing, thatsthats all right.

  Lamey bought it for me.

  Caro laughed. Might have known a man picked that.

  Whats wrong with it? Gredel wanted to ask. It was what everyone was wearing, only top quality. These werent clothes hijacked at Maranic Port, they were bought in astore .

  Caro took Gredels arm. Lets get some breakfast, she said, and then Ill take you shopping.

  The doorman stared comically as Caro and Gredel stepped out of the elevator. Caro introduced Gredel as her twin sister Margaux from Earth, and Gredel greeted the doorman in her Earth accent. The doorman bowed deeply as they swept out.

  An hour later in the restaurant, Gredel was surprised when Caro asked her to pay for their meal. My allowance comes first of the month, she said. And this months money supply is gone. This café wont run a tab for me.

  Werent we going shopping?

  Caro grinned. Clothes I can buy on credit.

  They went to one of the arcades where exclusive shops sheltered under a long series of graceful arches of polymerous resin, the arches translucent but grown in different colors, so that the vaulted ceiling of each glowed with subtle tones that merged and flowed and blended. Caro introduced Gredel as her sister, and laughed when Gredel used her Earth accent. Gredel was called Lady Margaux and surrounded by swarms of clerks and floorwalkers, and she was both surprised and flattered by the attention. This is what it was like to be a Peer.

  If shed been merely Gredel, the staff would have been there all right, but following her around to make sure she didnt steal.

  The arcades didnt serve just Terrans, so there were Torminel there, and Naxids, and some pleasure-loving Cree who wandered through the shops burbling in their musical voices. It was unusual for Gredel to see so many nonhumans in one place, since she rarely had any reason to leave the Terran parts of the Fabs. But the Peers, Gredel concluded, were almost a species of their own. They had more in common with each other than they had with other folk.

  Caro bought an outfit for herself and two for Gredel, first a luxurious gown with a cape so long it dragged on the floor, and next a pajamalike lounging outfit. Gredel had no idea where she would ever wear such things. Caro nodded at the lounging suit. Made of worm spit, she said.

  Sorry? Gredel said, startled.

  Worm spit. They call it silk.

  Gredel had heard of silkshed read about it in her researches on Earth historyand she touched the fabric with a new respect. Do you think it came from Earth? she asked.

  I doubt it. Dismissively. Earths a hole. My mother was there on government service, and she told me.

  Caro bought everything on credit. Gredel noticed that she signed onlySula, leaving out her first name and the honorificLady. She seemed to carry a tab at every store in the arcade. When Gredel thanked her for the presents, Caro said, You can pay me back by buying dinner.

  I dont think I can afford that, Gredel said doubtfully.

  Caro laughed. Guess we better learn to eat worm spit, she said.

  Gredel was intrigued by the way everyone lined up to give Caro credit. They know Im good for it, Caro explained. They know Ill have the money eventually.

  When?

  When Im twenty-three. Thats when the funds mature. She laughed again. But those people still wont get paid. Ill be off the planet by then, in the Fleet, and they can chase me through space if they like.

  Gredel was intrigued by this too. There tended to be serious consequences in the Fabs for people who didnt pay their debts. Maybe this too was different for Peers.

  So is this money your parents left you? Gredel asked.

  Caro looked dubious. Im not sure. My parents were caught in some kind of scheme to swindle government suppliers out of a lot of money, and they lost everythingestates, moneyshe tapped her neck significantlyeverything. I got sent to live with Jacob Biswas in Blue Lakes. This was an exclusive area outside of Maranic Town. The Biswas clan were clients of the Sulas, and Dad got Biswas the job of assistant port administrator here. Im not sure if the money is something Dad got to him, or whether it came from my dads clients or friends, but its in a bank on Spannans ring, and the interest comes to me here every month.

  Caro went on to explain that her family was forbidden to be in the Civil Service for three generations, both as punishment for what her parents had done and to minimize the chance to steal. But as a Peer, she had an automatic ticket to one of the Fleet academies, and so it had been planned for her to go there.

  I dont know, she went on, shaking her head. I cant see myself in the Fleet. Taking orders, wearing uniforms&under all that discipline. I think Id go crazy in ten days.

  The Fleet, Gredel thought. The Fleet could carry you away from Spannan, through the wormhole gates to the brilliant worlds beyond. Zanshaa, Esley, Earth&The vision was dazzling. For that, she could put up with uniforms. Id do it in a second, she said.

  Caro gave her a look. Why?

  Gredel thought she may as well emphasize the practical advantages. You get food and a place to sleep. Medical and dental care. And they pay you for it.

  Caro gave a disdainful snort. You do it, then.

  They wouldnt let me in. My mother has a criminal record.

  The Fleet had their pick of recruits: there were plenty of people who wanted those three free meals per day. They checked the background of everyone who applied.

  Unless, Gredel thought, someone she knew could pull strings. A Peer, say.

  They took a taxi back to Caros building, but when the driver approached it, Caro ducked into the backseat, pulled a bewildered Gredel down atop her and shouted at him to keep going.

  Whats the matter? Gredel asked.

  A collector. Someone come to get money from me. The doorman usually chases them off, but this ones really persistent.

  Apparently, living on credit wasnt as convenient as Caro let on.

  The driver let them off at a loading dock in the alley behind the building. Caros codes opened the door.

  There were little motorized carts in the entryway, for use when people moved furniture or other heavy belongings.

  They took the freight elevator to Caros floor and looked for something to eat. There wasnt much, just biscuits and an old piece of cheese. Have you got food at your place? Caro asked.

  Gredel hesitated. Yes, she said, but weve got Antony too.

  And whos that?

  Gredel told her.

  He comes near me, Caro said with a disgusted look, Ill kick him in the balls.

  That wouldnt stop him for long, Gredel said, and shivered. Hed still slap your face off.

  Well see. Caros lip curled again.

  Im serious. You dont want to get Antony mad. I bet even Lameys boys would have a hard time with him.

  Caro shook her head. This is crazy, she laughed. You know anyone who could buy us some food?

  Well. Theres Lamey.

  Hes your boyfriend, right? The tall one?

  He carried you up here last night.

  So I already owe him. Caro laughed. Will he mind if I mooch dinner off him? Ill pay him back, first of the month.

  Gredel called Lamey on her phone. He was amused by their dilemma and said hed be there soon.

  Gredel made coffee while they waited, and served it in the paper-thin cups.

  So tell me about Lamey, Caro said.

  Gredel told her about Lameys business. Hes linked, you know? He knows people, and he moves stuff around. From the port, from other places. Makes it available to people at good prices. When people cant get loans, he loans them money.

  Arent the clans patrons supposed to do that?

  Sometimes they will. But, you know, those mid-level clans, theyre in a lot of businesses themselves, or their friends and allies are. So theyre not going to loan money for someone to go into competition with them. And once the new businesses start, they have to be protected you know, against the people who are already in that business, so Lamey and his people do that too.

  Its the Peers who are supposed to protect people, Caro said.

  Caro, Gredel said, youre the first Peer Ive ever seen outside of a video. Peers dont come to places like the Fabs.

  Caro gave a cynical grin. So Lamey just does good things, right? Hes never hurt anybody, he just helps people.

  Gredel hesitated. They were entering an area she tried not to think about. She thought about the boy Moseley, the dreadful dull squelching thud as Lameys boot went into him. The way her own head rang after Lamey slapped her that time.

  Sure, she said finally, hes hurt people. People who stole from him, mostly. But hes really not bad, she added quickly. Hes not one of the violent ones, hes smart. He uses his intelligence.

  Uh-huh, Caro said. So has he used his&intelligenceon you?

  Gredel felt herself flush. A few times, she said quickly. Hes got a temper. But hes always sweet when he cools down, and buys me things.

  Uh-huh, Caro said.

  Gredel tried not to bristle at Caros attitude. Hitting was what boyfriends did. It was normal. The point was whether they felt sorry afterward.

  Do you love him? Caro asked.

  Gredel hesitated again. Maybe, she said.

  I hope at least hes good in bed.

  Gredel shrugged. Hes all right. Sex seemed to be expected of her, because she was thought to be beautiful and because she went with older boys who had money. It had never been as pleasurable as shed been led to expect, but was nevertheless pleasurable enough so she didnt want to quit.

  Lameys too young to be good in bed, Caro declared. You need an older man to show you what sex is really about. Her eyes sparkled and she gave a diabolical giggle. Like my Sergei. He was really the best! He showed me everything about sex.

  Gredel blinked. Who was Sergei?

  Jake Biswass wifes sister was married to Sergei. We were always sneaking away to be together. Thats what all the fighting in the family was about. Thats why I had to move to Maranic Town.

  How much older was he?

  In his forties somewhere.

  Black, instant hatred descended on Gredel. She could have torn Sergei to ribbons with her nails, with her teeth. Thats sick, she said. That man is disgusting.

  Caro gave a cynical laugh. I wouldnt talk if I were you, she said. How old is Lamey? What kind of scenes does he get you into?

  Gredel felt as if Caros words had slapped her across the face. Caro gave her a smirk.

  Right, she said. Were models of stability and mental health, we are.

  Gredel decided to change the subject. This is lovely, she said, and held up the cup.

  Caro looked at it without expression. I inherited that set. Thats the Sula family badge, those three crescents.

  What do they mean?

  They mean three crescents. If they mean any more than that, nobody told me.

  Caros mood had sweetened by the time Lamey turned up. She thanked him for taking her home the previous night, and took them both to a restaurant so exclusive that Caro had to give a thumbprint in order to enter. There were no real dinners on the menu, just a variety of small plates that everyone at the table shared. Gredel had never heard of some of the ingredients. Some of the dishes were wonderful, some werent. Some were simply incomprehensible.

  Caro and Lamey got along well, to Gredels relief. Caro filled the air with vivacious talk, and Lamey joked and deferred to her. Toward the end of the meal he reached into his pocket, and Gredels nerves tingled when she saw the med injector.

  Panda asked me if you wanted any more of the endorphin, Lamey said.

  I dont have any money, remember? Caro said.

  Lamey gave an elaborate shrug. Ill put it on your tab.

  Dont, Gredel wanted to shout.

  But Caro gave a pleased, catlike smile and reached for the injector in Lameys hand.

  Gredel and Caro spent a lot of time together after that. Partly because Lamey wanted it, but also because Gredel found that she liked Caro, and liked learning from her. She studied how Caro dressed, how she talked, how she moved. And Caro enjoyed dressing Gredel up like one of her dolls, and teaching her to walk and talk as if she were Lady Margaux, the sister of a Peer. Gredel worked on her accent till her speech was a letter-perfect imitation of Caros. Caro couldnt do voices the way Gredel could, and the Earthgirl voice always made Caro laugh.

  Gredel was learning the things that might get her out of the Fabs.

  Caro enjoyed teaching her. Maybe, Gredel thought, this was because Caro didnt have much to do. Shed left school, because she was a Peer and would get into the academy whether she had good marks or not, and she didnt seem to have any friends in Maranic Town. Sometimes friends from Blue Lakes came to visit herusually a pack of girls all at oncebut all their talk was about people and events in their school, and Gredel could tell that Caro got bored with that fast.

  I wish Sergei would call, Caro said. But he never did. And Caro refused to call him. Its his move, not mine, she said, her eyes turning hard.

  Caro got bored easily. And that was dangerous, because when Caro got bored she wanted to change the music. Sometimes that not only meant shopping or going to a club, but drinking a couple bottles of wine or a bottle of brandy, or firing things into her carotid from the med injector. It was the endorphins she liked best, though.

  The drugs werent illegal, but the supply was controlled in various ways, and they were expensive. The black market provided pharmaceuticals at more reasonable prices, and without a paper or money trail. The drugs the linkboys sold werent just for fun, either: Nelda got Gredel black market antivirals when she was sick, and fast-healers once when she broke her leg, and saved herself the expense of supporting a doctor and a pharmacy.

  When Caro changed the music, she became a spiky, half-feral creature, a tangled ligature of taut-strung nerves and overpowering impulse. She would careen from one scene to the next, from party to club to bar, having a frenzied good time one minute, spitting out vicious insults at perfect strangers the next.