Page 22 of Salvation
The Anferthian’s large, grey-green gaze met his. “It is more along the lines of how I can help you. Even though I am not an official medic, I have been studying. My desire was to discover a cure for this illness. When I was stricken two days ago, my hopes were crushed. But, with you here, I am in a unique position to help you accomplish what I cannot.”
A’paz’s gaze shifted between him and Sakura. “I understand a short while ago Tokki stepped onto the Golden Road in your presence.”
“Yes,” Sakura confirmed.
“And you took samples?”
Nick gave him a nod. “We did.”
A’paz turned to K’rona sitting unobtrusively in a corner of the great room. “Do you remember where they are?” The cryptic tone of the question startled Nick.
“I’ll retrieve them now.” K’rona disappeared deeper into the cube.
“She will bring my work to your laboratory,” A’paz said.
Nick drew his brows together. “Your work?”
“Blood and tissue samples I have taken. And, do not worry, I was discrete and used sterile procedures. It is best if this is not common knowledge. Most of my people understand and support my efforts, however there are a few who would be offended I violated the victim’s post-mortem. Rest assured, I received consent from most of them, the patients, that is. The ones who would not or could not give their consent, I did not touch.”
That would explain why K’rona had rushed them through the sample taking before Tokki’s viewers showed up.
“I also have a control group of healthy Anferthians,” A’paz continued. “K’rona, Storo, Ita, Dacey, Nero…I am sorry. Not all of them you have met. Suffice to say there are about four dozen in the control group, including me before I was struck.”
Nick cocked his head to one side. “How is it you know English so well, A’paz?”
A shuttered look came to the Anferthian’s eyes. “I was an interpreter during the invasion of your planet.”
“That seems like a limited career with translators.” Nick gave the device attached to his ear a light tap.
A’paz seemed to deflate. “It is a useful skill for an interrogator.”
Sakura leaned forward. “High Linguist Jasan. Did you know him?”
A wistful smile softened the man’s features. “Dyras Jasan was a good friend, but we were aboard different ships.” He shifted in his seat as though relieving discomfort. Or maybe pain. “He was assigned to the slaver stationed in the part of your world called Asia, while my ship was on a vast plain on the continent you called Australia.”
“Yes, he was. Near the border of India and Bangladesh,” Sakura murmured, her gaze distant. “I heard he died during the uprising.”
“You heard correctly, I fear.” Furrows appeared between A’paz’s pale brows, curiosity lighting his grey-green eyes. “It was you, wasn’t it? The Terrian servant Dyras told me about. Yes, by your expression I can see you are the one. It always amused him how others tried to guess the extent of your rela—”
Sakura’s wide eyes appeared to glaze over and the mug slipped from her hands, hitting the floor and splatteringkumiin several directions. Her hands fluttered, matching her expression of dismay. “Gomen’nasaiA’paz-san! I am sorry. I am so sorry.”
What was going on with her? She’d never had a clumsy moment since he’d met her. Where was the grace and dignity she usually wore like a royal mantle? He reached down and picked up the mug.
“Do not worry,lini.” A’paz pointed in the direction of a doorway. “There are towels in the kitchen. I would take care of it myself, but….”
“No, no. I will clean this. I will be back.” She snatched the mug from his hand and fled in the direction A’paz had indicated.
Nick stared as she disappeared through the doorway. That was weird. It sounded an awful lot like she was hiding something. Had she had an affair with some Anferthian officer she’d met during the occupation? But, she was so tiny, was that even physically possible? Although, he had heard speculation about Ambassador K’nil and Mrs. B. for years. Ugh! He was sonotgoing there. It was no one’s business, least of all his. Nor was his disipula’s past, even though his mind seemed determined to linger in speculation. He cast a glance of curiosity in A’paz’s direction.
The Anferthian quirked one pale eyebrow and shook his head. “That is her story to tell, Healer Bock. I have apparently already said too much.” Then he went back to sipping hiskumias though nothing had happened.
~*~
Sakura’s hands shook as she dropped the damp towels into a laundry basket. Of all the topics to come up, she had not expectedthatone. The question about Dryas had popped out of her mouth before she had considered the consequences. Then she had dropped herkumito distract everyone. Never in her life had she done something so rude. What an idiot she was. Now she had to go back into the other room and face Nick again. Would he grill her in front of the Anferthians, or wait until they got back to their cube? Either way, one question would lead to another, then another, until the truth came out. A truth she did not want him, or anyone else, to know about. The things that had happened, the horrible, horrible choice she’d had to make.
Enough of this. If she did not go back soon someone would come looking for her. And, if that someone was Nick, he might corner her here in the laundry room and demand some answers.
She wiped her sweaty palms on her damp, stained leggings, then grabbed some extra towels to wipe up thekumishe had spilled on A’paz’s utilitarian floor. K’rona met her at the kitchen door.
