"Well?" Damian's voice cut through the low hum of the clinic, calm on the surface but laced with something volatile.
Marin didn't flinch. He crossed the room, coming to stand on the opposite side of Gabriel's bed, eyes scanning the monitors as he spoke.
"He's stable. His ether levels are high, but they're not spiking anymore. The tether…" His gaze flicked briefly to Damian. "…whatever he did with that shard, it's fading. Donin's residue is weak. It won't hold him much longer."
Damian's jaw tightened, the cords in his neck shifting as he swallowed back a dozen orders that would fix nothing.
"How did he get clearance?" Damian's words were low, dangerous. "I told you… no ether work until…"
Marin met his eyes fully now, unshaken. "Until I cleared him. Which I did."
The golden stare sharpened. "You…"
