Fiona made a face and got herself off the bed as everyone except Hal filed out the room and closed the door.
As soon as they were alone he pulled her close and hugged her tightly. “When you hit the ground . . .” He kissed the top of her head. “It was not something I’d ever like to see again.”
“It came on suddenly,” she said. “One moment I was watching Lenato tend to Baruke, the next my throat felt like it was in a vice.” She shuddered at the memory. “It was frightening.”
“Go shower, I’ll wait out here.” Hal kissed her lightly again.
He was keeping watch, she realized as she stepped into the bathroom, and she had to admit she felt better knowing that he was out there, on guard.
By the time she was showered and dressed in a new shirt and pants she’d found neatly folded on the counter for her, Lenato was back, a bottle of lavender grilko in one hand.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Good,” she said. “I’ll need a big glass of water handy in case I just really don’t like the taste of grilko.”
He grinned as he broke the seal and poured a small amount into a glass, and Hal topped up the water glass that was sitting beside her bed.
She took a very cautious sip. Coughed.
“Disgusting,” she said, gulping water.
Lenato shrugged. “Well, that’s one thing checked off the list.”
“Where’s Baruke recovering?” Fee asked him. “Is he here in this hospital?”
“Yes.” Lenato screwed the lid back on the grilko. “Do you want to visit him?”
“Well . . . ” Fee shrugged. “If someone didn’t want us to talk to each other, it would surely be safer for both of us if we did just that. So there would be no point any longer in keeping us apart.”
“That’s . . . not a bad idea,” Hal said. “Is Baruke up to talking to Fiona?”
“He’s much improved, although he’ll need to be in the ward for at least another day, maybe two.” Lenato lifted his hands, indicating the uncertainty.
“I’m surprised his people didn’t move him to a Balcoan facility,” Hal said.
“I think his mind went to the same place as ours.” Lenato grimaced. “That it was an inside job. He’s made the decision he’s safer with the Grih than with his own.”
“I think he’s probably got that right,” Fee said. “If he’s up to it, I think we’d both be doing each other a favor if we meet. And I am really interested in what he has to say.”
CHAPTER 16
Baruke layin a slightly elevated position on his hospital bed, with a young woman seated to the side.
Fiona recognized her as Baruke’s daughter, Kivisha da Pirro, although they’d never met. She had come to Larga Ways a few times since Fiona and Eazi had taken control of the way station, and Eazi had sent her a short clip of Kivisha’s arrival each time.
As usual, she was in the height of current fashion, with streaks of silver in her hair that matched the silver gray of her eyes.
“Fiona Russell.” Baruke’s eyes widened as she stepped into the room.
The guards on the door had been Grihan military, and they stepped neatly aside when they saw Lenato approaching.
“How are you feeling, Hi-Lan? I understand you ingested more of the poison than I did.” Fiona nodded to Kivisha, who’d slowly risen to her feet as she, Hal, and Lenato had come in.
Hi-Lan Baruke ran his fingertips down his throat. “Better,” he said. “I honestly thought . . .”
Kivisha made a sound and sat again, taking her father’s hand.
“I did, too, and apparently I had a much lower dose, so I can only imagine how it was for you.” She stepped closer.
