Brinn planted her boot on the seal hide before Jiang could drag himself into the flooded stair.
He shoved against her ankle with the foot that worked. The bad one trailed behind him, and the broken claw caught in the hide. His shoulder binding pulled tight enough to blur the green lamp.
Brinn looked down. "You have mistaken being fed for being repaired."
Jiang pecked her boot.
"I see the distinction has upset you."
Beyond her, black water covered the first step and licked at the second. The chick's call had vanished behind the stone. Elen's changed knock had gone quiet too.
Tir came through the low door carrying the severed hook rope over one shoulder. He had stripped off his coat. Under it, leather straps crossed a broad green-glass mask and held a shallow copper cup against his chest.
The cup was open at the bottom.
Jiang stared at it until Tir noticed.
