Free thefiremargins by Lisanne Norman Page A

"Then you'd best get down to the other end of the table out of my way. You can help yourself to c'shar, I'm not running around after you." She turned back to Carrie, dismissing him.

Rhyasha came in from the main preparation and cooking room next door. She looked toward Kaid, mouth opening in a friendly smile, ears flicking forward in pleasure.

"I knew you'd be able to bring her downstairs," she said. "It's a brave person that would even think of arguing with you!"

"You're both tyrants," said Carrie, opening her eyes and looking tiredly from one to the other. "You abuse me terribly."

"Only for your own good, cub," said Rhyasha, gently patting Carrie's hand as she sat down beside her. "Choa, please fetch Carrie's meal."

Carrie stirred. "I'm really not hungry," she protested. "I'm just tired. I'd rather sleep."

"I'm sure you would, cub, but we can't let you," said Rhyasha. "Your body, as well as your mind, has been badly traumatized. You have to eat, cub, or you won't have the energy to heal yourself. That's why you feel so tired. You'll make the effort for me, won't you? After all, you don't want me to have to ask Kaid to feed you."

Kaid's strangled growl of protest made Carrie look back over at him. His ears were laid back and his eye ridges met in a frown.

She chuckled despite herself. "It might just be worth it," she said.

"Good," said Rhyasha. "You've got your sense of humor back at least. Now, from today on, you're going to come downstairs and be with us. You can have a sleep after you've eaten, either in the lounge or in the garden, but there'll be no more staying up in your rooms brooding."

Carrie could see and feel Rhyasha's determination. Like everything else, it exhausted her. She bowed to the inevitable. "Yes, Rhyasha," she said as Choa returned with her food.

     
    * * *
     
    Kusac joined Vanna by the vehicle park entrance just as Meral turned off the aircar's engine.

"Any idea what all this is about?" he asked her.

"None. I thought you'd know."

"No. All Father said was he'd tell me when he returned. I think the general idea's to keep the kitlings in the main house until Kaid's security expert has his surveillance equipment set up, then they'll be moved in with one of the estate families."

"Whatever it is, it spells major trouble if your father thinks we need all this extra security. Has it anything to do with last night?"

Kusac shook his head as he watched Garras help the two kitlings out of the aircar. "I didn't have time to tell him."

The two young Sholans were dressed in oversized purple tunics that made them seem even younger than they were. They moved stiffly, obviously still in some discomfort from their injuries. Garras stopped to pick up the smaller one, the female, and as they slowly crossed over to where Kusac and Vanna waited, the boy reached out to hold onto Garras' free hand.

Kusac stepped forward to meet them. "Hello, Rrai, Jinoe," he said. "I'm Kusac Aldatan and this is Physician Vanna Kyjishi. I hear you're coming to stay with us."

The young male nodded. "Garras said we were. He also said that my mother would be coming, too." He looked around, ears and tail flicking anxiously. "Is she here yet?"

"Not yet," said Kusac. "She shouldn't be long now. Shall we go up to your rooms and get you settled in while we're waiting for her?"

Jinoe nodded.

"Please," said Rrai. "Why are we coming to stay here?"

Seeing Kusac hesitate, Vanna stepped forward to take Rrai by the hand and lead him into the house. "You don't want to stay at the hospital any longer, do you? Since you can't go back to your Tribe, we thought you'd like to come and live here. The grounds are huge and there's lots of space for you to play in— and other younglings to play with."

"Will we have to be in separate rooms?" Jinoe asked.

"No, you'll be in the same room," said Kusac, walking beside Garras so he could continue talking to her. "You'll have a suite of rooms. That's a bedroom for you two, one for your mother, and a