Kael
The amended appointment had a blank space beside Observer.
I put it back on the desk.
"Fill that before you give it to me again."
The scheduling clerk looked tired.
I felt some sympathy.
It did not extend to being examined alone by Malcris.
Maelis's suspension had removed the person I had agreed to have in the room. The local clinician who had witnessed the first baseline remained assigned to the ward.
Seraphina had work of her own and was not a substitute for the independent qualification the procedure required.
Neither was Nyx, however much I would have preferred her near the door.
The clerk took the page.
"The field office is arranging it."
"Then the appointment waits for the arrangement."
I went to speak with Veylan.
He had already received the notice of Maelis's suspension. Her responsibilities occupied more space on the reassignment sheet than her name had on the roster.
"I'm not attending without a qualified observer," I said.
"You aren't being asked to."
