RISK
Chrys is asleep on the couch, Shock has come to sit close to her, and Arc is pretending like he’s the only one of us whoisn’twatching her sleep.
I think we’ve all been too afraid to speak and wake her, but that’s about to end.
“Kimba’s here,” I tell them softly. “She didn’t bring Drift.”
It’s probably better that Kimba has shown up now… Chrys needs to eat. We would’ve had to wake her anyway.
While Arc goes to the door, I gently shake Chrys awake, and warmth flutters through my chest when she smiles at me.
“Hi,” she says, her voice breathy and soft.
“We have a visitor. And she already knows you’re here, so we can’t hide you.” Mary told. I don’t know why—I don’t know everything—but Kimba camespecificallyfor Chrys.
“What a shame.” She stretches and flinches but when she pushes the blankets off, her cheeks have a delightfully rosy flush. “Who is it?”
“Kimba.” I don’t have to explain. She’s heard of Kimba.
The tone of the doorbell echoes overhead.
“Oh boy.”
I help her stand up as the woman in question comes in, taking off her scarf and gloves and unzipping her jacket.
“Saints. I dressed for the normal ice box and it’s practically balmy in here.” Her focus turns immediately to Chrys. “I was told we have you to blame for the thaw.”
“Hi Kimba. It’s nice to actually meet you.”
“I would say the same, but I don’t have all of the details of the circumstances that brought you here.” She looks Chrys over and the three of us stay silent.
With Kimba, it’s best to answer her questions and let her tell you when to speak or you’ll wind up feeling like a complete fool.
She scrutinizes all of us and then says, “Alright. Let’s sit down and you can tell me what’s going on.”
Arc takes her coat and things and sets them on the table near the door before he follows. When he sits, Chrys moves to sit sandwiched between us.
One of Kimba’s eyebrows raises. “I was under the impression that you were on the ship that crashed in our backyard.”
“That’s right.”
Kimba’s gaze goes to Arc, eyes narrowed.
“We’re not bonded. I got the kit in case it had something she needed in it.”
We take turns explaining things to her and Chrys makes it clear she doesn’t want her sisters to know.
Kimba looks at Arc when she says, “Are you willing to take that chance?”
“Yeah.” He nods, and even if she doesn’t believe him, I do.
Kimba analyzes all of us, but she doesn’t tell us what I know Arc can hear clearly. She wants to know more. But she knows that asking isn’t going to get her any more answers than she already has.
“Ishouldn’tleave you here. But, if it’s what you want, I will. Someone wanted you on Isia, and if they’re going to come after you, at least I know one of you boys will be here, even if there’s an incursion, and… I agree. The fewer people who know you’re here, the better.”
“We need to take her into Ilidi City.”
All four of us look at Arc.
