Page 133 of Alien Burn

He wanted to know how Burk had reached Kantenan, how he had reached this complex, and which door had taken him from an apparent worker or passerby to a position behind Adryel on the ramp. No one yet had answers worth keeping.

He refused the first attempt to give him one that sounded tidy.

“Find out,” he said. “Then tell me.”

Burk had been searched and secured. The weapon was held separately. Dhomhes looked at the first image from the cell and thought of the minute he had told Stron he worried too much.

His comm sounded.

Sereya.

Please tell me when you know about Adryel.

He called her.

“They found her,” he said as soon as she answered. “She's with Stron. They're going to the medic.”

Sereya closed her eyes.

“Was she hurt?”

“She's walking and speaking. I don't have the medical report yet.”

Her breath came out shakily. “Thank you.”

“Are you in your room?”

“Yes.”

“Does it suit you?”

“It has a door that locks. I've become fond of those.”

“So have I.”

She studied his face through the small projection.

“Wash that hand before you come,” she said.

He looked down at the shallow scrape across his knuckle. He had caught it on the stairs without noticing.

“I will.”

He should have ended the call. There were people waiting, a captured operative downstairs, a security failure that deserved his entire attention.

Instead he said, “I promised I could keep you safe here.”

Sereya went quiet.

“You brought us here to try,” she said at last. “You didn't bring him here to hurt her.”

“He got past us.”

“Then find out how. But don't give him all the rest of you while you're doing it.”

Dhomhes looked at her for a long moment.

“I'd like to see you when I can.”