"We have to do something!"
Gildas crouched by him. His harsh words cut through the moans.
"It"s acidic, Finn. Her internal system may be already burned, her lips, her throat. It will be over very soon."
Finn looked at Keiro.
"We go," his brother said.
"Right now. I"ve found where he keeps the ship."
"Not without her."
"She"s dying."
Gildas forced him to look.
"Nothing can be done. It would take a miracle and I don"t have one."
"So we save ourselves?"
"That"s what she"d want."
They had hold of him, but he shrugged them off and knelt by her.
She was still and seemed to be barely breathing, the faded bruises clear in her skin. He had seen death, he was used to death, but his whole soul revolted against this, and the shame he had felt at the Maestra"s betrayal came back and swept over him like heat, as if it would overwhelm him. He choked back words, knew tears were filling his eyes. If it would take a miracle, Attia would get one.
He leaped up and turned to Keiro, grabbing at his hands.
"A ring. Give me another of the rings."
"Now wait a minute." Keiro jerked back.
"Give it to me!" His voice was a rasp; he raised the sword. "Don"t make me use this, Keiro. You"ll still have one left."
Keiro was calm. His blue eyes gave one glance at Attia as she curled in agony. Then he stared back.
"You think it will work?"
"I don"t know! But we can try."
"She"s a girl. She"s no one."
"One each, you said. I"m giving her mine."
"You"ve had yours already."
For a moment they faced each other, Gildas watching. Then Keiro tugged one of the rings over his knuckles and looked down at it. Wordless, he threw it at Finn.
Finn caught it, dropped the sword, and grabbed Attia"s fingers, pushing the ring on; it was far too big for her, so he held it there, praying under his breath, to Sapphique, to the man whose life was in the ring, to anyone.
Gildas crouched beside him, deeply cynical.
"Nothing"s happening. What should happen?"
The Sapient scowled. "This is superst.i.tion. You yourself scorned it."
"Her breathing. It"s slowing."
Gildas felt her pulse, touched the dirty scars where the chains had been.
"Finn. Accept it. There"s no ..." He stopped. His fingers tightened, felt again.
"What? What-"
"I thought... The pulse seems stronger ..."
Keiro said, "Then pick her up! Bring her. But let"s go!"
Finn threw him the sword, crouched, and picked Attia up.
She was so light, he could carry her easily, though her head lolled against him. Keiro already had the door open and was looking out.
"This way. Keep quiet."