Indigo Rain by Watts Martin Page B

eyes at underground network and didn’t look any more patient as she finished. “And what do you propose to do if that’s true? Cancel it?”
    “If we have to, yes.”
    “It’s not your call. It’s not my call. It’s less than a day away.” He sounded almost pleading. “If you must, turn this over to the Guard.”
    “They won’t do anything.”
    His tail lashed. “And why is that, do you think? Are they part of the grand conspiracy, or could it be because you don’t have enough evidence?”
    Roulette closed her eyes. She felt like knocking both their heads together, but right now she was having trouble keeping her balance. “Excuse me,” she muttered softly.
    “I’m—” Lisha stopped in mid-sentence. “Roulette?”
    The raccoon guessed that the vixen had turned toward her, but she couldn’t tell. Her eyes wouldn’t quite open again. “I think I need to lie down,” she murmured woozily.
    “I have got you,” Gregir’s voice came. Someone lifted her up into their arms, and everything went dark.

When Roulette’s eyes opened again she was staring up at the ceiling…where? In her room.
    “Are you all right?” Lisha’s voice came.
    “Yes,” Roulette said, rubbing her eyes. “I feel a lot better.” She sat up gingerly. “Did I fall asleep?”
    “The word you’re looking for is ‘fainting.’” She shook her head. “I should have taken you right back here. You’ve been through so much today.”
    Roulette nodded. “Was it Gregir who carried me here?”
    “Yes.” She held up a bag. “He got some extra food at dinner for you, too.”
    “Thank you. Thank him.” Roulette took the bag gingerly. “Not doughnuts, I hope.”
    “No,” Lisha said, without cracking a smile. “Cold chicken.”
    Roulette smiled a little. “I’m sure it’ll be good. Is it late enough that he went on to bed?”
    “Yes, I think so. It’s nearly midnight.” The vixen stood up, started to walk to the door, then turned around. “Earlier today, when we fought…” She swallowed. “You were right. I shouldn’t have rushed you out of your room. I’m sorry.”
    Roulette looked up at the vixen, startled by the sudden change in topic. She wanted to say damn right you shouldn’t, but remained silent.
    “I was afraid for you. Especially after you told me what Grayson tried to do to you.” Lisha’s voice had a slight shake to it now.
    The raccoon sighed, and patted the bed beside her. “Sit down.”
    Lisha did so, moving stiffly, hands in her lap, as if expecting to be disciplined by her commanding officer.
    “I won’t lie,” Roulette said. “I’m still upset. But if you hadn’t dragged me out, those men would still have found me. And even if I’d been able to get away, I wouldn’t have had anywhere to go.” She shook her head. “I can make more money, but I can’t come back from the dead.”
    Lisha nodded, a slight movement, otherwise remaining still.
    “So.” She touched Lisha’s leg, lightly for a moment, then simply rested her hand on the cloth of the vixen’s slacks. “I forgive you. As infuriating as you’ve been, you’ve rescued me twice now. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be around to be angry with you.”
    The vixen took a deep breath and smiled, again just a slight movement, almost timid.
    Roulette smiled back and lifted her hand away. No, she hadn’t lifted it yet, had she? She kept thinking it— you should really move your hand now —but it kept staying there, pressed gently against Lisha’s leg. After several slow breaths had passed, the vixen’s tail wagged slowly against the bed. Roulette caught herself wondering if she could make it wag faster.
    “I should let you eat,” Lisha said at length. “And sleep myself. I’ll be at the rally site early. I want to know what the hell they’re planning.” She bit her lip. “I’ll try to get you some money in a few days. To help get you to Raneadhros.”
    “Oh—oh, you don’t have to do that.” Part of her wanted to