“Narida…come to me.”

Was it her imagination, or was the voice real? Did she hope so much for a sign of life on this planet that she was conjuring up an imaginary lover?

She almost hated to leave the water, but the voice called again.

“Narida.”

She stood up and walked back to the beach, the sand squishing between her toes. For the first time, she noticed the atmosphere around her was bathed in a beautiful mauve glow. When she glanced down at her breasts, she was amazed that her skin emanated a phosphorescent light, the droplets still clinging to her nipples. The drops glowed as bright as fireflies. Wonderingly, she touched a drop and watched it break into a dozen smaller droplets. They scattered and settled on the dark aureole to nestle there. She did the same to the other drop and then caressed her breasts, the strange phenomenon an aphrodisiac.

“Narida.” The voice sounded more urgent, almost needy.

She walked faster toward the dark line of the jungle. When she reached the border, she hesitated. The forest’s thick vegetation made her think of an inky, ominous maze. What would she find within?

She inched forward with hesitant steps. The shrubbery parted automatically as though it understood the reluctance and slight fear that gnawed at the pit of her stomach. Strangely, the action sent butterflies to her stomach, to her belly, settling between her legs.

Once her eyes became accustomed, the forest didn’t appear so dark after all. But it was a surprise to discover that the light illuminating her path emanated from her. Her skin glowed with a soft brilliance, and she was surrounded by a circle of lilac light as if she stood in a spotlight.