“They must be,” Gis said, turning so he could look at Jul but also keep Myrum in sight. “Unless they’ve learned to live without a head or any blood in their bodies.”
To Amina's surprise, Restic ran up to the pile and kicked Lorse’s leg. “I curse you to never be allowed a body again; your soul should forever be homeless. You’ll exist in the dark nothingness. Sightless, soundless, never-ending blackness because what you’ve done here makes you unworthy.”
It didn’t take a genius to figure out Lorse had done some horrible things to Restic. Myrum must’ve understood because he let her go and walked over to where Restic was still standing over Lorse’s body.
She backed away with a squeak. Myrum ignored her and bent over Lorse. He pried the dead male's mouth open and reached inside. He grunted and pulled something free. Then he did it again. Amina couldn’t see what he was doing, but then he stood up and held his hand out to Restic.
Lorse’s two bottom tusks were in his palm.
“Toothless and powerless,” he said. “You have both his teeth and his power now.”
Restic stared at the teeth then stepped closer so she could grab them. Holding them tight in one hand, she gave Myrum a deep bow.
“I’ll never abuse anyone under my care,” she whispered, then started making a keening sound that made Amina want to cry with her.
Nashie stepped up and drew her close, hugging her tightly and making a humming sound from deep in her chest. Several others gathered around her, all making the same comforting humming.
Myrum returned to her.
“That was well done,” she murmured, then looked up at him with a mock serious expression. “But I don't ever want any teeth as a gift, okay?”
He sounded a rumble of amusement. “Noted.”
That single word combined with his rumble made her ask, “Are you back?”
“Mostly, I think,” he said. “My thoughts are slow, but I can feel where my body hurts. The drugs made it so I didn’t feel much of anything.”
He brought his hands up to rub his face but stopped when he saw the blood. He looked down his body, then at her.
“So much blood,” he muttered.
“But it isn’t ours; that’s the important part.” She frowned, noticing for the first time that there were burn marks under the blood on his chest and shoulders. “You need to see the medic.”
“We both need the medic,” he countered.
“Can I suggest a few moments in the cleansing unit using the sonic setting before Gilush looks after either of you?” Gis said. “That might make it easier to see where the wounds are.”
Suddenly all Amina could think about was being covered in drying, sticky blood. She wanted to get clean in the worst way.
“With your permission, I’ll contact Helmen and the ship,” Gis said. “They can dock here.”
“They can?” Amina said.
“Of course,” Gis said. “We have the capability to turn this bay into a docking corridor. There are standard locking-ties on theoutside. We used the shuttle because Lorse refused to let any non-Ossiso ship past the satellites. He was paranoid.”
“Not paranoid enough,” Amina said.
“Apparently,” Gis said with an Ossiso hiccupping laugh. “Can I?”
“Can you what?” Amina asked.
“Contact Helmen,” Gis said. Amina nodded and he let out a relieved breath. “Thank you. I’ll have your things moved back to the guest room so you’ll have clean items to change into after getting the blood off.”
Gis turned and issued a few orders. Several Ossisos got moving, leaving the grieving Restic to be gently led off by Nashie.
It took Amina a moment to realize she’d been elected as leader. Nope, she wasn’t doing it. Holding Ruby with one hand, she grabbed hold of Myrum’s hand with her other.
“Gis, you’re in charge, not me,” she declared, then led Myrum away.
