Faolan glanced between xem and another of the empty chairs, clearly thinking. Eventually she shook her head and just pulled manacles from her belt, clipping O’Hallow’s wrists together.

Orfeus dropped her gaze to her own self, watching as her wounds knitted together, as skin healed. The arch of her foot ached sudden and sharp, and Orfeus let out a breath as any energy left in her trickled out. That was her Blood for the day.

Faolan prowled around, peering at equipment. He glanced at the chairs, then recoiled away with his nostrils pressing together, and went back to prowling. Bless his heart, he was always so easy to read.

While also being impossible to read. He had come down here alone and without backup and stopped her from killing.

Waiting for authorities, and for medical care, and she should wait for both of those things too. She would, but there was still work to do. Still the work.

Orfeus pushed herself painstakingly to her feet. Her head spun, then settled just enough, though stars still burst in the corners of her eyes like fireworks.

She went to where Linden was strapped into his chair, and meant to stoop to look at him but found herself on the ground on her knees instead. That would work fine. She looked carefully at his face. His beard was overgrown, not as tidy as he liked it. His eyes were open and unseeing.

She looked away from his face and worked to free the bonds at wrist and ankle. The tubes and wires she could do less about.

She levered herself up, resting her weight on his arm rest. “Hey, Linden,” she said gently, and he didn’t immediately respond.

She couldn’t help looking in his face then. He wasn’t the worst off. Far from worst off. No wires burst out of his eyes. They were glazed, bloodshot. His fingertips looked calloused and were cold when she pressed at them. Not his hands…

His lips were swollen and dry, the skin flaking away. He had a lot of burst blood vessels. Whatever Significance did to them strained their bloodways.

Something in her throat was choked. The thought of having given so much, and been too late.

“Linden,” Orfeus said again, desperate.

One finger twitched. Orfeus seized it, pressed his hand, then made herself lessen her grip so as not to squeeze painfully hard. Her neighbour let out a rattling breath, then breathed in, gaping. His eyes swivelled around, but didn’t focus. He breathed out, shoulders tensing, trying to make words. “Hahahaha,” he said. “Ha. Hi.” He closed his eyes. “Hi.”

“Hey, bud,” she said, and squeezed his hand. “Sorry…I’m sorry I took so long.”

He shook his head faintly. He opened his eyes, but they stared sightlessly ahead. Orfeus felt cold all over. Silly. She was in her cloak.