“We have to do something,” I insist.
“What can we do?” Davix signs, stripping and crawling into the nest. He lays his head against Zann’s shoulder and I watch as my brood brothers take comfort in each other’s touch.
“I do not know,” I reply. I crawl into the nest with them, feeling their arms come around me reassuringly. And yet, it is not enough because Corrina is not here. Her scent lingers in our space, in our nest, and yet she is far away and hurting.
“Perhaps I can talk to Wenschel or Ryder,” I offer.
“I do not know if they will let us near the base,” Zann says sadly.
“Then I will find someone to bring a message to them. There must be a way.”
Davix picks his head up and looks at me. “Wenschel didn’t believe that I had hurt Corrina. Even at the beginning when things looked worst.”
I nod. “See, that is something. We will find a way to get a message to Wenschel and she will get a message to Corrina, and we will get her back. Even if she only ever wishes to be friends, that will be better than not having her with us at all.”
Zann and Davix nod. “Tomorrow,” Zann agrees. “Tomorrow, we try to get a message to Wenschel.
???
Zann was insistent that none of us try to approach the base, so I watch anxiously from afar as one of the humans from our loading crew approaches the gate. He hands an envelope to one of the soldiers on duty and then returns to me immediately. “She said she would deliver it,” he tells me.
“Thank you,” I tell him earnestly.
“Anytime,” he replies. He pauses for a moment. “I don’t know what is going on with you and your lady friend, but I know that you all seemed happy together. I hope it all works out.”
I thank him again and then settle in to wait. With luck, Wenschel will get the note soon and come out to speak to me. I am prepared to wait as long as it takes and send as many messages as needed to get Wenschel to see me. Davix remains in our new home, distraught. Zann has gone to work to communicate with our supervisor about our unexpected absence.
It is after midday by the time I see Wenschel emerge from the gate. I straighten up attentively as she walks quickly in my direction. “Thank you for coming,” I tell her, as soon as she is near.
“Of course,” she replies, “but Acting Commander Curran made it clear that none of you are allowed on base indefinitely. I guesshe’s added a night patrol to prevent anyone sneaking over the fence, too.”
“How is Corrina?” I ask. I am both desperate for news and terrified of what I might learn. It cannot be good news if Curran has taken over her role.
Wenschel swallows nervously. “I’m not going to lie to you,” she says. “Commander was badly injured, and she lost a lot of blood before Davix got her to the med bay. Right now, she’s in a medically-induced coma.” She glances at me expectantly, but I do not understand what Wenschel is saying. “We’re keeping her unconscious with medicine so that she can heal. But it also means that no one has had a chance to get her version of the story. The dead guy and the clawed gloves match up with what Davix said, but until or unless we can get confirmation…” Wenschel trails off. “Everyone is really fond of Commander. Emotions are running really high. There are some people saying that she rejected Davix and that’s why he attacked her.”
“Davix did not attack her,” I say angrily.
“I know. I know that. I think Curran does too. But he’s in a difficult position now. A lot of us are.”
I nod. “Do you have any sense of when Corrina will recover?” The alternative, that she might not, is too painful to even consider.
“We’re going to try and bring her out of it tomorrow and see how she’s doing. Commander is tough, though. She’s been through a lot, and if anyone could survive this, it’s her.”
“Will you give her a message from me? From us?” I plead.
“I can’t promise that I will, but I can promise to at least try,” Wenschel responds. I am grateful for her honesty and her promise. It is the best we can hope for right now. “What do you want me to tell her?”
I let out a heavy sigh. “Tell her that there will always be a place for her in our nest if she wants it.”
Chapter Forty-Three: Corrina
I wake slowly to pain and murmured voices. I blink my eyes, trying to orient myself. I remember fighting with someone and being afraid and… “Davix,” I gasp, and then Curran is leaned over me.
“Thank the stars. You’re awake,” Curran rumbles.
“Davix?” Flashes come back to me. Davix’s face twisted in despair and pain. And blood. So much blood. My blood. “Wasn’t him,” I croak, trying to reach for Curran.
“Take it easy, Corrina,” Curran says softly, capturing my grasping hand. “The haleens are safe as far as I know, but they’re prohibited from entering the base until you can give us some answers. I need to know what happened.” I nod and try to sit up. I wince in pain as Curran presses my shoulders back to the bed. “Not now, you idiot,” he says, and the endearment loosens something in my chest. “You were practically disemboweled two days ago. You’re going to eat and drink a little something, rest, and then in a few days you can give an official statement.”
