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Helen tapped upon her tablet computer. “The baby is fine. I spoke to your surgeon, and she took precautions.”
“And the others?”
“Most survived, as most people tend to do after they get shot. Two did not. A man called Nico and a woman called Delilah.”
“Nico?”
The name hit Lila like another bullet. In her mind, the handsome man offered her another plate of steaming migas in the oracle’s dining room, watching her face as she took a bite, his cocky grin inviting her to cabin twenty-four.
The expression turned into fright as the oracle whispered something into his ear.
God-chosen.
“You knew him?”
“Not well. Was anyone else hurt?”
“The rest have been treated and released, except one. Camille, who isn’t a purplecoat from what I can tell. She’s out of surgery.”
“She’s alive? I thought Olivier broke into the admin building and killed her.”
“Ah, that’s his name. Too many purplecoats stood between this Olivier and his target. Connell said that he might have escaped to try again if you and Dixon hadn’t chased him down. I’m not sure if Connell is pissed or loves you for it.”
“I seem to inspire that reaction.”
“You do, don’t you? You also show up in the strangest of places. Perhaps I should have asked more about what you were doing with the oracles last night. You seem to have put down your blackcoat and picked up a purple one.” Helen sat on a padded chair beside Lila’s bed. “As a Randolph, I don’t know how to feel about that.”
“That makes two of us. I should point out I was wearing a gray one when I got shot.”
“Well, that’s something, at least. When the oracle called me this morning and said you’d been hurt, I almost hung up. I thought it was a prank until I recalled those messages on your palm. Someone brought me here, told me to wait in the lounge, and fifteen minutes later your friend brought you in on that stretcher, freshly shot. Did the oracle foresee it or cause it?”
“What do you think?”
“I have no idea what to think, because no one will tell me anything.”
“They don’t tell me much, either. Where’s Olivier?”
“I overheard Connell say that he’s sleeping in the basement. I don’t know what that means, but I get the feeling that he’s not in an actual basement. I also get the feeling Camille will join him when she is able.”
“Will she be able?”
“Her progress looks promising,” Helen said. “By the way, your friend, Dixon, sat with you after surgery. I sent him back to your cabin two hours ago for some sleep, but he wasn’t happy about it. I had to get Connell involved. Dixon wrote me several naughty messages on that notepad of his.”
“Did he leave with a woman? Blonde? Blunt? Colorfully dressed?”
Helen nodded. “She said a few naughty things as well. She did take him away, though, so there’s that.”
“Good. You
didn’t tell anyone about the baby?”
“Of course not. Dr. McCrae and I are the only two people who know.” Helen squeezed her hand. “She and her team are quite accomplished at treating gunshot wounds. Did you know they train the army’s surgeons and field medics?”
Lila shook her head.
“I suppose they have accidents on their compounds from time to time. If you were going to get shot, you couldn’t have found a better place for it. Not even Randolph General could have handled your injury so well. You’re both going to be fine.”
Lila grabbed her bedrail. “Good. I have to speak with the oracle.”
