Page 54

Kesta paused.

Dreven’s gaze held hers for another moment before he continued. “The council does need to know the empire may have altered people living inside this camp.”

Kesta glanced back at the scanner. “Yes.”

“You can explain what you found?”

“If Horan allows me to discuss his medical information.”

Dreven looked toward the patient rather than answering for him.

Horan opened his eyes and gave a weak nod. “Tell them.”

Dreven inclined his head. “Then you tell them.”

Not give me the report.

Not I will explain it.

He was asking her to speak because she understood it better.

Kesta noticed that too.

Dreven turned toward the doorway.

Only then did she see the thin line of blood winding between the scales on his forearm.

“Wait.”

He glanced back.

Kesta pointed. “What happened to your arm?”

Dreven looked down as though the injury had escaped his attention. “Pipe coupling.”

“You were repairing the condenser?”

Keth’s mechanical eye rotated toward him.

Dreven gave the other warrior a warning glance.

Keth ignored it. “The commander was holding the pipe while Kalla repaired the coupling.”

Dreven’s brows drew together. “That is repairing.”

“That is being large beside someone repairing.”

Kesta laughed before she could stop herself.

Dreven looked at Keth with such long-suffering displeasure that even Sera’s mouth twitched.

Kesta stepped closer and examined the cut. It was not deep, but grit had worked into the edges.

“You need that cleaned.”

“It is nothing.”

She lifted her gaze slowly.