Page 467 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

Luca is silent.

When they’re outside his room, Noah says, ‘I thought you’d kill him.’

‘We’re already down twenty-two, can’t afford twenty-three.’

‘Do I have any hope of examining you, or am I reaching for the stars?’

‘You’d have more luck grabbing one.’

‘Riley. You fell from the top of the Tower and, from what I understand, your body has undergone a significant morphological event, released a compound that caused extreme behavioural disruption in everyone around you and formed some kind of physiological bond we know nothing about.’

Riley stops, casting around. ‘How the fuck do you know that?’

‘I know you, Riley. I’ve been your doctor for six years.’

‘That doesn’t explain—’

‘I overheard what you said to Céliane. I’m sorry for it.’

‘How did you hear?’

‘I was on the floor above. There’s a very large hole in it.’

Riley blows air through his teeth. ‘I’m fine.’

‘Then let’s have a quick check.’

‘I don’t need—’

‘You don’t have the luxury of RSC anymore,’ Noah tells him bluntly. ‘You’re going to heal more slowly than before.’

‘You have others to focus on. I’ll come back at some later point.’

Noah sighs. ‘Set an example and actually do it.’

‘I will,’ he lies.

✴

Lachlan is waiting outside Medical.

He hasn’t showered or changed. Blood is still dried in dark sheets over his bare chest and soaked down past the waistband of his pants. He stands with his back to the wall, arms loose at his sides, staring at nothing until Riley approaches, at which point he casually pushes upright.

‘I kept three alive,’ he says without preamble.

Riley stops. ‘Three what?’

‘Mercenaries.’

‘Where?’

‘They’re inside your trash-compactor bays.’

‘You stuffed them inside?’

‘Individually.’

‘How did they fit?’