A light played down into the depths of the pit from the rim high above. It picked out the form of a big dark snake, lying coiled on top of a large tangled fishing net. At first the snake did not respond, but then it slowly raised its head and looked up at the light.

Juan put the lantern down and anchored his rope, then lowered himself over the edge, the lantern tied to his belt. When he reached the bottom he disengaged his harness and went over to the snake. He knelt beside it and began stroking its head. Slowly, Dema recognized him.

Wordlessly, he told her what he wanted, and she slid off of the net. He began pulling it open, sorting out the tangles. Dema remained motionless nearby, watching him. When he had it open, he had her crawl back onto it and coil up in the middle. He folded the corners over her and tied an end of his rope to them.

With the aid of the rope dangling from above, Juan climbed up out of the pit. Then he used his climbing gear to arrange a simple pulley system, and began hauling up the net with Dema in it. The net snagged on a rough spot, making it difficult to raise. Juan asked Dema to help by using her coils to ease the net over the snag. She did as he asked, and continued doing this as Juan pulled her on up.

When he got her to the top, he untied the net and let her out. Then he gathered up his gear and kicked the net back into the pit. He walked out of the cave into the night, with Dema crawling along beside him.

They were well down the hill and onto the flat before Dema became free enough of the effect of the cave entities to shift back to human form. They walked on a few more paces in silence, and then she said, "How did you know to come?" Her voice was a raspy hiss.

He said, "You called me," and she understood. After the time they had spent together, they were connected. When she had thought about him there in the pit, wishing he had been there to back her up, to rescue her, he sensed it, and he knew what she was up against. He knew of the Devil's Cave, knew that it made it impossible for her to hear him, impossible for her to change form and rescue herself. He had borrowed an old truck from a friend and set out at once. The long drive, down the entire length of the country, had taken many days. But now he was here.

Juan looked at her, and a small smile played around his lips. "Your ordeal has left you quite pale," he remarked.

Dema was startled, but immediately raised a hand to look at it. In the moonlight it was very white, and she understood. "I am the Lamia," she said, her voice still raspy and sibilant, "Sworn to avenge the blood of the innocent. The brujos will sacrifice another innocent soon. I must stop them."

She looked up at the moon. It was nearly full. "Has it been so long?" she said. "When I went into the cave the moon was just a sliver. When it is full, they will meet on the lake. I have to be there."

Juan nodded his assent. He knew that her intent in this matter was impeccable, the way of the warrior. And to remain impeccable himself, he must assist her.

She understood, and with this decided something relaxed inside her, and she returned to normal.