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They stopped her.
Tucking her head low, she turned toward the humans, reasoning that the mauleons might be more likely to be aware of her identity.
“State your business here, miss.”
“I have a friend who was wounded. A nurse told me.” She glanced up then down, twisting her hands in the bag handles. “Nurse Shree Tomers said to come. Please? I need to see them.”
“Anyone heard of a Nurse Shree Tomers?” The man turned to the other soldiers.
Their chorus of ‘noes’ threatened to undo her plan, until a male nurse jogging down the stairs paused and spoke.
“I know her, yeah.”
“She works here?” the soldier asked.
“Yes, sure does. In—”
“It’s fine.” He held up his hand to the nurse. “You can go in, woman.” He jerked his head then ignored Calli.
Relieved, she walked quickly in the entrance, past reception, and along the corridors toward maternity. It was so busy in here, with stretcher beds rattling along and past her. People were going everywhere, some with bandaged wounds showing.
“Hey!” Someone caught her arm and she swung, alarmed, going to run if this was her worst fear. It was Shree, in navy blue nurse’s uniform with her brunette tresses in a bun. “It is you! Come with me.”
She followed Shree into a room then into a storage cupboard with linen stacked on the shelves.
“Wait.” Shree clutched her arm then listened, her head up. “Seems okay. No one followed us. You shouldn’t be here!” She gave Calli a shake, her green eyes glaring bossily. “You know what’s happened, don’t you? Fighting, the rebellion in your name, girl?”
This would’ve been funny, being lectured by Shree, if it wasn’t for the tragedy of it.
“I...” How did she say this? “I’m being kept in the dark, given little info. A mauleon called Drake and Sec-Force General Aegis are leading it and I think they have won the day? But I’m unsure of the truth. Or... of the casualties. It looks bad. Here.” She jerked her head to indicate outside the cupboard.
“Bad, yes.” Shree frowned. “But mostly if you were on Vass’s side. I heard he’s gone into hiding, maybe left the city. His forces have surrendered everywhere, I think. I’ve not seen many civilians, wounded or dead. You’re lucky I saw you. I’m working in surgical ward today. They’ve brought in a lot of extra staff.”
“I see. Good, in a way. This is what I was told.”
So Drake had won. He was being truthful about casualties also. She hesitated. Could she ask Shree if she’d worked for her father?
Heavens, no.
She decided she would rather not know. Besides, hadn’t Shree just gone to some effort to conceal her?
Yes, yes, she had. She gnawed the inside of her lip.
“I know that look.” Shree folded her arms. “What is it you aren’t telling me?” Her eyebrows went up. “Or, don’t tell me if it’s a big secret or something. I’m sorry, I sometimes forget who you are now... Your Highness.” She grinned.
Calli grinned back. “It’s okay.” Should she say? “I do have another thing. A problem. I’m not sure it’s something I can say to you.”
“No?” The woman waited.
The seconds stretched.
She wanted to tell her. There was nobody else she could tell, she realized. Sassi was a bot, and it just was not the same.
“Okay.” She drew a breath. “It’s Drake.” Her heart thumped. She froze, thinking furiously. No. I can’t. But... I need to.
“Drake?” She leaned forward. “Him? Mister Deadly and Dangerous? The mauleon district sexiest beast of the year? I’ve seen him in here this morning, but he has left,” she added rapidly upon seeing Calli’s expression. “You okay?”
Calli blushed terribly.
