"Can we…" she started. "Can we not just watch her bleed?"
Elowen glanced at Mikhailis.
Mikhailis didn't answer right away.
He watched as Rhaen forced herself up again, limped to the Warden's corpse, and started to work.
Plate shards came loose. The core came out. The ants' view zoomed in as he willed it, focusing on the fist-sized crystal in her hand.
Or a nice date, Mikhailis thought.
There was a beat of silence.
<...Your economy calibration is concerning.>
He almost smiled.
He did not let it reach his mouth.
"A hell of a pathfinder," he said quietly.
Elowen turned her head toward him.
"Pathfinder," she repeated.
He met her gaze.
Her eyes were cool silver, but there was heat under them now.
"We're using her," she said.
It was not a question.
Mikhailis did not try to lie.
