"All right," Bariyan said. He took his hand back, folded his arms over his knees. "I will wait."

He stayed. Perfectly still, not blinking, not breathing, as if afraid that the slightest motion will set Martin off. Perhaps it would. Koltira's very presence had been a threat, but Bariyan couldn't imagine that Roslyn or Anora or any of the others had done anything to provoke Martin. Anything that would normally provoke him.

But he was coiled, tense, waiting. If Martin made a bolt for it, Bariyan would be ready.