Page 87 of Alien Burn

“You don't have to⁠—”

“I wanted to talk to you yesterday. I wanted to hear your voice when you called. And when this is finished, I'd like another cup of tea with you.”

She looked at him for a moment, then nodded.

“Not with all those people.”

“No,” he said. “Just us.”

Roemary was waiting when Sereya returned to collect her things later that day.

She sat beside the window with her legs crossed and a slim cream-colored packet on the table. The spilled tea had been cleaned up. Sereya noticed that before she noticed anything else.

“Where have you been?”

“The housing office.”

“Why?”

“They're offering private rooms. I'm taking one.”

Roemary uncrossed her legs.

“Why would you do that?”

“I'd like my own space.”

“You have your own bedroom.”

Sereya kept a hand on the suite door. Beyond it, the guard waited in the corridor, close enough to hear if she raised her voice.

“I've made the arrangements,” she said.

Roemary's gaze went to the door. “Since when do you need an escort to come home?”

“The residence is under increased guard.”

“I know that.”

Sereya didn't answer.

For a few seconds, Roemary watched her with an expression she had never permitted Sereya to see so plainly. Anger, yes, but something else beneath it. Calculation sharpened by worry.

Then she picked up the packet.

“Before you go, I need you to do something.”

Sereya looked at it.

“Program documentation,” Roemary said. “Graecey's office used to handle this sort of thing. Tomorrow, mid-morning, take it to the east administrative annex. A clerk called Vessik. Third window.”

“Can't it go through the office?”

“It is going through the office. Vessik works there.”

“Then perhaps one of the staff could take it.”

Roemary got up.