Page 69 of Splintered Shadow
“That is a cool trick,” Sarah said.
He handed her two packets, one a disinfectant and the other a gel to cover the wound.
Gently, Sarah dabbed at the injury. It burned slightly, but not worse than the actual shot. Her attention was soft and kind. Caring, even loving. No one had given Vekele such care since his parents’ death. When they were alive, the king and queen remained aloof. He knew they loved him, but they had never been affectionate with little touches or soft words.
Sarah had both, but also had sharp looks and cutting comments. She had enthusiastic smiles and unabashed glee.
She had not said the word yet—love—but he felt it. His love for her grew moment by moment. Her care, her concern, all her actions led him to believe that she felt the same. She did not have to say the words. He knew.
It was… odd to be the focus of so much. Concern. Love. He craved it. Wanted every drop of it.
With her attention focused on his arm, he did his own inspection. The beginning of a bruise blossomed on her abdomen. He wanted to kill the male who dared to hit his mate, but that male was already deceased.
Vekele would have to be satisfied with hunting down the traitor who orchestrated the attack. Instinct— or perhaps a lifetime of mistrust— pointed to his aunt.Cassana. It had not escaped his attention that his dear, beloved aunt was absent from the signing ceremony.
The Starshade representatives had also been absent.
One coincidence was merely a coincidence. Two was a clue. Three was proof of conspiracy.
He did not know what the third coincidence was, but he knew he would find out easily enough.
“This is worse than a graze,” Sarah chided as she applied the gel.
The sting of the medicated gel dragged his thoughts to the present.
“It is fine. I should have been gentler with you,” he said, his fingers brushing against her stomach.
“I’m okay.”
“You always say that when it is not true.” He activated the scanner. The device was not programmed for human physiology, but it was the best he could do until they found a medic.
“Am I going to make it, doc?”
“You are far too glib about your survival,” he grumbled. “No major organs are ruptured.”
“Scan Ghost, please. He took a kick to the ribs.”
The void beast slinked out of the shadows and allowed Vekele to scan his person.
“His ribs are bruised but not fractured. I can administer a pain medication if he wishes,” Vekele said.
She squinted her two eyes, sensing the beast’s choice through the bond. “He doesn’t trust you right now. I think that’s a no.”
Vekele huffed. The beast barely tolerated him on a good day. They had an uneasy truce, but the assassination attempt was too much for the young creature. “That is understandable.”
Sarah picked up her discarded garment and dressed reluctantly. In the lantern’s glow, dark patches of dried blood stained the once vibrant fabric.
“There may be something suitable in the emergency kit. Stay here.”
“Isn’t this the emergency kit?” she asked.
“One of three.”
He retrieved two additional packs. These came standard with all flyers, even the ridiculously short-ranged ones like the one he stole.
No, requisitioned.
The larger pack contained a sleeping mat, blankets, and a pop-up shelter. It also had a pair of basic flight suits. They were not fashionable, but they were clean and warm. The smaller pack contained rations and water.
