The creature hesitated for a moment, then there was a laughing sound. A musical, alien sort of a laugh. "What are you? Not a slave, not a soldier... Something new inside, but what is it?" It drew closer, always closer, one step at a time. "What I am is like what you are... Something new inside. Something else, no one knows what it is." Now it was easily in range to lunge for her. "I say again, I am hungry. And so are you. Invite me into your home." These last words were command, not request.