“Of course you do.”
SHOCK
While Risk and Hazard hash out the details, I finish cleaning up Chrys’s hands and wipe dirt from her cheek, taking extra care around the piercing.
Arc and Riann discuss something quietly. Everything feels too calm.
“Apparently, someone owes you a favor.” Arc stops beside me, standing close enough our knees touch. “Riann says he’s waiting outside.”
There’s only one person it could be. “He can afford to wait.”
“I’d like to leave.” Chrys traces the tattoos on the back of her hand and fingers. “I don’t really want to spend any more time here than I already have.”
Kissu huffs, and I’m the one he pulls at.
“He agrees with Chrys,” Arc informs us.
“Of course he does.” She scratches his chin while I help her up.
No one tries to stop us as we leave. They can clean up the mess without us.
Kissu bounds ahead of us, disappearing before we get back out into the snow. He comes back with an ice-encrusted frankenbunny.
“You brought my bag?” Chrys asks. “Is this where my e-reader went?”
She gives Kissu a fake, accusing glare but can’t keep her lips from forming a smile.
“I didn’t want to chance having to get you new medication, so I asked him to bring it when he followed you.”
“Thank you.” She kisses my cheek and scruffles Kissu’s magnificent ruff. “And thank you.”
I see who’s waiting for us. He can afford to wait, so I detour to the bikes instead of going straight to him.
Arc picks Chrys up, carrying her so her feet are out of the snow.
The bags are cold but safe, and I hand one to Risk, shouldering the other two. “I brought clothes for you, too,” I tell Chrys, even though I don’t give her a bag.
“Why?”
“Our outpost is gone.” Arc holds her tighter. “But we’ll worry about that tomorrow.”
I let him and Risk make sure Chrys is safe while I trudge through the snow.
“Need a ride?” Noa leans on the side of the helicopter, smiling at me like we’re friends.
“We do, as a matter of fact.”
Noa’s gaze slides past me. “Atker’s dead?”
“Yes.”
“I almost feel like I should thank you.”
“Don’t.”
He laughs and steps out of the way so I can throw the bags in.
“Giving you a ride certainly doesn’t level the scale.”
