Page 69 of Into Orbit
‘Fine,’ Anna said. ‘I will have dinner with you. But I am stillconsidering. It doesn’t mean anything.’
He gave a close-lipped smile. ‘I will keep that in mind.’
‘Justpleasedon’t make me eat the chicken again,’ Anna said, as if she couldn’t help herself; I eyed her sideways.
‘No chicken,’ the Prince said, his lips twitching.
‘So you’ll let Willow go?’
The Prince’s answer took so long that I was sure he’d refuse. In the end, though, he gave a silent nod and turned his back, disappearing around a corner.
‘Come with me now,’ the first Roth said, gesturing to me.
I swallowed and turned to Anna. ‘I’m going to leave more antibiotics and painkillers here, and the vitamins, and the food pouches, and a thermometer. Vesper, if she gets hotter than thirty-eight Earth degrees Celsius, give her the painkillers first, then another antibiotic shot. You need to drink more fluids than you think you need and keep up the vitamins. Wash the bite clean twice each day with water or an antibacterial spore wash – agentlespore wash, not an industrial one. Any questions?’
Anna shook her head. ‘Thank you, Willow.’
‘You’re welcome.’ I stood, rifling through my bag, unpacking the things she’d need. I turned my back, purposefully making a rustling sound with the food pouches. ‘Do you need help, Anna?’ I whispered, as softly as I could.
She flicked a glance at the Roth, then back at Vesper.
The starling gave her a smile I couldn’t read.
She pursed her lips. ‘No,’ she whispered back. ‘No. Not if it means they could get hurt. I’ll work something out.’
‘I’ll flag the ship regardless.’ I handed her the food. ‘I’ll be thinking of you.’
She gave me a full, brilliant smile, and I could see why the Prince had been so desperate for his dinner. ‘I wish I could see you again. I’d like to meet your family.’
I returned her smile. ‘Stranger things have happened. Stay well, Anna.’ I nodded at Vesper. ‘Starling. I’ll forget I ever saw you.’
‘That would be ever so kind,’ Vesper said. ‘But if you happen to meet another starling who looks quite like this, please do feel free to let my twin know that I’d appreciate a rescue at their earliest convenience.’
‘I’ll keep that in mind.’
The Roth stepped forward and placed his hand against a scanner outside the cell. The glass slid open; I walked through, giving Anna one last small smile.
The glass slid closed behind me, and the wall wavered slightly; I imagined that from the inside, it was back to its impenetrable black. I looked up at the Roth, waiting for his instruction, and more than a little unnerved by his height and by the horns looming into the darkness.
He gave a slight sigh. ‘I really am sorry about this,’ he said, and he lifted his fist.
The world went black.
ElswythhadbeenbyAshton’s bedside forhours.
I didn’t have the heart to disturb her, so I’d left some food and water at the door and retreated into the clinic to annoy Cedar. The Second Doctor took it good-naturedly, putting up with my questions about the compounds they were mixing and what they did when they weren’t in the clinic.
Cedar sparred, as it turned out. When I discovered that, we got along famously.
After I judged that I’d given Elswyth enough space, I slipped into the sickbay. Ashton didnotlook well, but at least Cedar had put his skull back together.
I pursed my lips. I would never forget the sight of his caved temple. My eyes sought the slight rise and fall of his chest to reassure myself that he was still alive. I watched the movement for longer than I cared to admit, then took a lock of Elswyth’s shining hair between my fingers. ‘How is he?’
Elswyth sniffed. ‘I can’t see any change,’ she said hoarsely. ‘He doesn’t react when I speak, or when I touch his hand.’ She wiped her eyes. ‘You must understand that our injuries are usually healed within hours, even broken bones. This is …’ She trailed off. ‘This is bad, Maeve.’
I pulled her against me, stroking her hair. ‘He’s strong. And he has a gorgeous female by his bed to come back for.’
‘Twogorgeous females,’ she corrected.
