Page 21 of Alien Burn

He eased his shoulders down. There were injured people waiting for beds. He turned to make room for a medic, but the heat stayed with him, fierce beneath the torn cloth.

“This is Gol-Vett Dhomhes,” Roemary said. “The Protector's son.”

“We've met,” he said.

Sereya glanced at him.

“Outside. By the serving cart,” he added.

“Yes.”

“How is the woman you were helping?”

“They took her to a bed. She's waiting for the second treatment.”

“Good.”

Sereya's gaze dropped to his hand, where blood had dried against the edge of his armor. He had forgotten about the cut.

Roemary followed the glance.

“You're injured.” Her voice softened. “You should have said.”

“The railing and I disagreed.”

He had expected an easy laugh. Roemary gave him one.

Sereya didn't.

She looked toward the nearest medic, then back at his hand. Her lips parted. He waited, but she closed them again when Roemary began asking about the accommodations.

He answered the question. Temporary arrangements, protected residences, everyone to be told where they were going before they left the hall.

Sereya listened without interrupting. When someone dropped a metal tray behind them, her shoulders jerked. She steadied herself before Roemary turned.

He could have asked if she was all right. She would have said yes, and Roemary would have answered the rest for her.

Instead, he signaled to the crew member compiling the roster.

“These ladies are ready to give their accounts.”

Roemary straightened, pleased to have something official to do. Sereya went with her.

Dhomhes watched them reach the table. The crew member offered two chairs. Sereya chose the one facing the doors.

Then a medic caught him looking at his palm and took him firmly by the wrist.

He let her.

The hall emptied slowly. Stron was still conferring with the guards when the last group assigned accommodation there began to leave. Dhomhes sent him the count they had assembled, along with the names still unaccounted for.

He had kept Fiviel's name near the top.

There was no reason for that. The position on the list changed nothing.

He left it there.

Outside, smoke obscured the trees. The damaged platform had been closed, guards posted at every approach. Dhomhes stopped behind the barrier and called the terrain crew.