Pain.

Head pounded.

Legs burned.

Opened eyes.

Everything fuzzy.

Flashing with the pounding.

Pressure on my chest. It moved—a face, dim in the darkness.

"Shhh," I heard vaguely, like from inside a drum. "Don't move. You're hurt, but you're alive."

What...where. I blinked. My vision cleared some in one eye. Who?

Sorina? I tried to think, to speak, but nothing. Hurt too much.

"Alexis says explosion hurt your head. One eardrum is punctured. Overpressure, she said."

I managed a groan—something on my lips. Moist...liquid squeezed in.

"Armor protected your legs," continued her echo-y voice. "Adrian protected the...the rest of you."

Water pooled inside my cheek. I moved my tongue. Swallowed.

"Your legs...badly bruised...very badly. Doina bandaged them...herbs to keep swelling down. She hopes she can save them. But I'm here...I'm here with you. No matter what."

"That's sweet," came another faint voice. Familiar...maybe.

Sorina moved away, jarring me.

Dimness faded.