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Dreven’s expression hardened. “No.”

The witness’s grin widened. “Bed right?”

Something flashed in Dreven’s silver eyes, and the scales at his temples tightened. “No.”

The Red Basin male laughed softly. “Then you spend considerable authority for little return.”

Dreven turned his head toward him. “She is not a ration allotment.”

The humor vanished from the witness’s face.

Kesta studied Dreven more carefully.

He had just fought a man to establish a claim over her and then publicly refused most of the privileges the other men apparently assumed came with it. That did not make the claim acceptable. It did make it more complicated than she wanted it to be.

The witness aimed the recorder toward her. “Human. You understand the declaration?”

“No.”

The raider leader laughed from where he knelt clutching his broken wrist. “Invalid.”

Dreven’s head turned sharply, but the Red Basin witness raised a hand.

“Acceptance is not required until first shelter. She may accept or refuse before Ash witnesses.”

Kesta looked at Dreven. “Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“And if I refuse?”

A shadow crossed his expression. He looked past her toward the circling predators before answering.

“Then I find another way to keep you alive.”

“You don’t have one now.”

“No.”

Again, he offered no excuse.

The witness glanced toward Lina. “And the injured human?”

Kesta moved between the recorder and Lina before she had time to think about it. “She comes with me.”

The Red Basin male’s brow lifted. “You are not the claimant.”

“I’m her medic.”

Dreven looked at Lina’s blood-soaked bandage. His gaze remained there for several seconds, assessing rather than merely glancing, before he looked back at Kesta.

“Ash protection extends to the wounded human until she can choose for herself.”

The witness chuckled. “Two obligations in one night. Ash Camp must be rich.”

Dreven’s expression became dry. “It is not.”

“Then you are foolish.”