'I don't care for her presence either, but we must trust John's judgment,' said Laurent. He held Damen's chin in a gentle but firm grip, first pressing the cloth to the cut on his cheek. The blood came away at once, seeping into the cloth as the liquid that soaked it must into the wound, and Laurent repressed a wince of sympathy.

He moved his cloth to Damen's throat after, paying close attention to the steady thrum of Damen's pulse beneath his fingers. He had not expected to lose Damen tonight. He was too careful, and John too good, yet they had come closer to it than Laurent enjoyed realizing. 'A body can only lose a fifth of its blood before the heart is unable to do its work,' he observed, thumbing Damen's artery.

Behind them, John still worked, and Laurent turned his head. 'I will assist you. Damen, you needn't remain if you don't wish to.' Laurent knew the body bore the face of his friend, and his feelings on the subject were no doubt tender.