comparing notes
They'd already finished several bottles of wine. The fire was burning low.
Ace counted off on her fingers. "Eaten by vampires . . ."
"Assassinated by Cynis," the Roseblack countered.
"Mm." Ace frowned. "Infected by fungoid alien thingies. Died burning them."
The Roseblack shrugged. "Died on the front lines trying to prove himself. He really didn't have to."
"They never do." Ace stared into the fire. "And still --"
"You're worried about that little savant of yours, aren't you?"
"Mm." She shrugged. "Not worried worried, but people keep on dying . . ."
"Don't worry," the Roseblack advised her. "It only happens to the ones you love."