Page 125 of Sky Song
“Here you go.” Ren’s weird sister Rosamma put a steaming cup of herbal brew in front of Cricket. She hovered over the table like a white homely elf, catering to their needs with an awkward but touching abandon. “The rolls are almost ready. Ren, would you like more salad?”
“Rose, stop. We aren’t hungry.”
“Don’t speak for everybody.” Unfazed, Rosamma brought out a small oval bowl of yellow curdled cheese for Lyle. “Eat, defender.” She laid a long skinny spoon on a pristine linen napkin next to the bowl and sat down, the dozens of her bracelets chiming.
Lyle picked up the spoon. “Where did you get a spoon like this?”
“From galactic traders, at Atticus.” She moved one shoulder in a graceful shrug, her cream-colored shawl slipping.“It isn’t a Rix spoon, but it’s very similar to the traditional design, isn’t it?”
“Very.” Lyle dipped the spoon in the yellow curdle and started eating. Rosamma looked pleased with herself. Reaching out, she laid a hand on Lyle’s wrist, a barest touch of her fingers, skin to skin. He stilled.
“You’re unwell, defender.”
“Don’t call me that. Please.”
“What do you want me to call you?” Rosamma was looking at Lyle earnestly, her pale tilted eyes eerily ancient.
“Lyle.”
“You’re more than your name.”
“I’m not.” Gently, Lyle pulled his hand away from Rosamma’s touch. “Your healing touch won’t fix me, my light lady. Don’t spend yourself on me.” A warm pulse of Lyle’s Rix energy washed over Cricket - his sorrow.
Zaron patted Rosamma on her other hand. “Your salad was divine, my sweet. Are you tired?”
A flash of annoyance crossed Rosamma’s pale face. “I’m fine, Uncle. I better go check on the rolls.” She rose slowly and left the table, likely more to escape Zaron’s worried regard than monitor the baking progress.
“You and your spirit of adventure.” Zaron’s eyes under a deep frown bored into Ren. “You’ve worn out your sister.”
“You make it sound like we took her along to the hospital. She’s fine, she’s bored. Let her cook.”
Zaron looked far from convinced. “I’m still waiting to hear about your trip to the hospital. The hospital! Ren, what the hell?”
“Long story.”
“I have time.”
Lyle finished eating and set the bowl and the spoon away. “I asked Ren to come with us.” When he said ‘us,’ hemotioned at Cricket, thus making her a core member of their merry band of trespassers, thieves, and murderers.
“Why?”
“I had intel.”
“And?”
“It was correct. We busted an illegal lab.”
“What kind of lab?”
“The kind that performs unsanctioned medical experiments on unwilling captive subjects.”
“Get out of here.” Zaron hit the table with his fist. “At our hospital? I don’t believe it.”
“Well, believe it,” Ren chimed in. “We’ve seen it with our own eyes.”
Zaron rubbed his forehead. “Why not go to the authorities? You broke into the hospital!”
“Well. Yeah. I know, it didn't go exactly as we planned, but we’re okay now. All’s good.” An understatement of the year.
