Page 341 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Renji operated."

"He was exposed to silver."

"Yes."

"He operated anyway."

"Yes."

"How?"

"You already know."

Haruki looked towards the monitor. His heart moved steadily enough. Too quickly. But steadily.

"Hemomancy."

Akiko nodded.

"He stabilised your circulation long enough for the surgeons to repair the damage."

Haruki looked down. Bandages crossed his chest and disappeared beneath the sheet. Tubes ran from beneath his ribs. One line delivered blood through his arm.

"He saved me."

"Yes."

The answer contained something else.

"What did it cost him?"

"We do not know."

Haruki turned his head towards her.

"Where is he?"

"I told you."

"Bring him."

"No."

The refusal was immediate. Haruki stared. Akiko folded her arms.

"You have three gunshot wounds, a repaired subclavian vein, lung damage, liver trauma and no spleen."

"I heard most of that."

"You lost enough blood to die twice."

"Apparently I was busy."

"You are not leaving this bed."

"I asked you to bring Renji."

"And I said no."