“You can stop now!” I was close to his ear, but I still had to shout. “We can go inside!”
I pulled him against me, against the wall, and let go of the chain. The wind pushed us towards the door. I grabbed the handle, not caring that my palm burned. Ang was leaning on me as I forced the door open and dragged us both inside. I propped him against the wall and closed the door. The cessation of the force against me was so different that I nearly stumbled again. But Ang was more important.
I moved to where he was leaning, pushing him around so his back was against the wall. The sheen on his face could have been rain, but I had a feeling a lot of it was sweat too. He looked pale and drawn. Out of energy.
My palm went to his cheek. His cold was balm to the burning in my hand.
“Ang,” I called his name, desperate to connect with him again. To know he was well.
He blinked and finally focused on me. In relief, I pressed my forehead to his, leaning into him until our bodies were together. His arms came up and around my waist, holding me.
“I’m all right,” he whispered.
I pulled my head back. “All right?” I asked. “You were absolutely incredible.” I didn’t think I had ever seen such precision or control. And now I was seeing the cost. The pale skin, the shadowed eyes, the grey lips. I saw his eyes move from mine to my lips. Was he leaning towards me?
“Come on.” I pulled his arm around my shoulder as we headed back to the accommodation area. “We need to get you warmed up again.”
“You’re not to leave me,” he muttered. Possibly. He muttered something. Maybe I just hoped it was that.
* * *
By the time we reached the accommodation level, I was joined by four other Riders, all keen to help. They helped us to the shared bathroom and got Ang, who was nearly unresponsive by then, undressed. Someone moved me to one side, helping me out of my soaked clothing too.
“A red scarf?” Surprise rang in whoever’s voice that was.
“It’s a lucky colour,” I said, since Ang was too far gone to talk.
Each of us was lowered into a hot bath. I was so numb that at first I didn’t realise how cold I was. Then the heat of that water started to flow through me.
“One of the new guys is a healer,” someone said.
I sat up. “Who needs healing?” That was usually my job.
“You do.” Cold hands pushed me back. “Go get him.” I don’t think that was said to me. “Sullivan? Focus on me a moment.”
Reluctantly, I did what the voice told me. Blinking to clear my vision.
“Do you recognise me?”
I rolled my eyes at that worried face. “Of course I do, you prat. You’re Wingmate Gahunia.”
He chuckled. “Glad we got that sorted. You did brilliantly out there. And Fin was fantastic too. He’ll be here soon. Can you lift your hands and move your fingers for me?”
I knew what he was doing so I wanted to tell him where to go, but he was right to check so I obeyed. My right hand was fine. My left, the burned one, not so much.
The door opened with a rush of cold air.
“Dad, you all right?” Fin was at my side, looking worried, and somewhat tired himself.
“I’ll be fine, son.”
“He will be if you let me see to him.” This came from one of the new guys, the second Rider who came in. He moved closer and Gahunia shifted to let him near me. “I am Wingmate Selim Boutros. I will heal you.” He looked down at me.
“Flight Captain Ang Shi is in worse condition,” I said. “See to him first.”
“He’s exhausted and cold,” Boutros told me. “He’s already receiving the care he needs.” The tall man knelt beside me. “These appear to be electrical burns. I may not be able to remove them entirely, but I can stop the burning in your skin, which should help.”
I nodded. “Do what you can.”
