A segment of a component for use in a gas turbine includes a leading edge; a trailing edge; a pair of opposed lateral sides between the leading and trailing edges; and a seal slot provided in each lateral side. The seal slot includes a surface having a channel extending in an axial direction defined from the leading edge to the trailing edge, at least one inlet to the channel, and at least one outlet from the channel. The at least one outlet is spaced downstream from the at least one inlet in the axial direction. The segment may be an inner shroud segment or a nozzle segment.