Company? Re-l didn't know whether to feel flattered or uncomfortable, and settled for feeling wary. But there was no point in running away now. And it was only a relationship of convenience for both of them.

"Let's go outside, then," she said. Somehow his blindness seemed less claustrophobic outside. In here it was too obvious how limited he was by his lack of vision.

She tugged on his arm and pulled him to his feet. There was a moment, as she moved, when his weight caught on her arm, and the pain in her ribs blazed sharply. Re-l smothered her grimace, but a gasp escaped her.