“It’s possible. Isn’t it.” Not a question.
I answered him anyway. “I don’t think he’s possessed.”
His theory that Bathin might not be playing for our side was pretty strong. I could take it one step further and wonder if Bathin had also been sent by Lavius. It wasn’t inconceivable that vampires could play a long game. Immortality had to have some perks.
Dad didn’t know who sent that demon-infested rock to him.
It could have been Lavius.
It could have been Bathin.
It could have been anyone.
“Is Rossi there with you?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Have you asked him?”
“If Ben is possessed? Do you really think he would be objective about that?”
“He’s old, Ryder. When it comes to stuff like this, he is stone cold solid.” Or at least I hoped he wouldn’t let his affection for the man he considered his son make him blind to something as serious as demon possession. “You can ask him and you can trust him. I’m on my way. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
I hung up because even if Ryder’s theories were correct, and Lavius wanted me to see Ben because it was a trap of some kind, I’d need to be there to deal with the fallout. I considered calling Myra, but she’d stayed up even later than I had last night, poring over old books for “answers” according to the curt text I’d gotten when I’d pinged her this morning.
“Trouble in paradise?” Bathin asked.
“This isn’t paradise,” I said as I merged into traffic toward the hospital.
“Every man’s paradise is another man’s hell.”
And I didn’t know if the yearning in his tone was a good thing, or a bad thing.
Chapter 14
Ryder was pacing inside the lobby, his stride slow and easy, and more of a prowl. He saw me coming before we were in speaking range, his eyes shifting to Bathin, who walked stride-in-stride with me.
I could see the anger on Ryder’s face, and just shook my head. I didn’t know how to tell him that I didn’t like Bathin and that we were not friends or friendly no matter how much he walked at my side like he belonged there, or how many free lattes he scored for me.
“He’s not my friend and I don’t like him.” Hey, look at that. The direct approach. Go, me.
Ryder’s eyebrows went up. “Who?”
“Bathin. I know what he is. I know what he’s done to me, and the first chance I get, I’m going to fix it, or make him fix it.”
“You really shouldn’t tell your enemy your plans you know,” Bathin noted. “Takes all the pop out of it.”
“Then why don’t you tell him to back off and leave you alone?” Ryder said, ignoring Bathin like he hadn’t even spoken.
“I have.”
“Have you?”
“You really haven’t,” Bathin supplied.
“Shut up,” I muttered.
“Well?” Ryder asked.
