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He growled in annoyance. "Is it custom then for humans to just wail on each other for no reason?"

"...No."

To her shock, he grabbed her arms and pulled her over to the nearest wall, sitting her up against it. Then he went over to one corner and retrieved the canteen she had given him some days ago. He crouched back beside her and set it into her hands. "There isn't much left."

She took the canteen and thanked him. She took a drink and then spilled some on her face.

"Your face..." he said after watching her clean some of the blood off her. She thought maybe she was imagining it, but he actually looked concerned.

"I'll be all right." She eyed him curiously. He hadn't moved to attack her. He gave no indication of becoming hostile. He only appeared agitated, but not at her.

As she sat for a moment, trying to calm her nerves, trying not to freak out that she was stuck in a room with him, she thought over the guard's words. "I think they were friends of Hendrik's. They had hoped you'd be punished for his death. Because I stopped that, they decided to get revenge. One of them also swore their allegiance to another house, so he was obviously also looking to sabotage our plans."

Xeda hissed as he paced the room. "Well, they'll be greatly disappointed."

She watched him closely. "Is that a good indication that you don't plan on taking advantage of this situation?"

She had to ask. To know for sure. Her heart still pattered with that tiny fear that he might change his mind.

He stopped pacing to look down at her. He seemed to understand what she meant. He glanced away. "I have no reason currently to harm you. It wouldn't be wise to our plans."

She couldn't help smiling. "You mean because if you do, you'll wind up at the labs."

He seemed hesitant to answer. "I have no need to harm you, let's just leave it at that."

"All right." She shifted to her side, a moan slipping from her.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to sleep."

He snorted. "You think you can in that state?"

"I'm going to try. But it will be hard if you keep talking."

He paced a little more, then turned back to her. She went still as he reached out and lifted her hand holding the canteen, making her press the side of it to her face. The metal was cold on her skin.

"What are you—"

"Leave it there to help with the swelling."

She wanted to laugh, but she stopped herself. It was true they had no ice.

He drew away and went to sit toward the back wall. He watched her, and she tried to look everywhere but at him and failed.

"Sorry we're such a pain. I don't condone this shit either. And I don't represent the garbage part of human existence."

He tilted his head. "It's nothing I haven't seen before amongst your kind."

"That's why you hate us right?"

His gaze turned a little cold. "No. That's not why."

She nodded, let that sink in, then said, "So, why?"

He didn't answer at first. His eyes flicked toward the window, then back to her. "Because you are different."

She frowned. "That's all?"