“Yeah,” Bastien said after a second. “I know. And yes, he’s my son. Florian, meet Chayden, Jory, Ryn, and Fain.”
His jaw dropped at the massive size of Fain. “Are you an Andarion?” And before he could answer, Rian hurriedly added, “You know you look just like the Iron Hammer! He’s an Andarion Ring fighter.”
Fain grinned, exposing his fangs. “Yeah, I know. Talyn’smyson.”
“Really?”
“Yeah,” Fain said proudly. “You ever want an autograph, just let me know.” Then he glanced back to Bastien. “Love your kid. He’s adorable, now pick a ship before we all get into a fight over you.”
Bastien laughed at the thought. “Whose is largest?”
“Jory’s.”
Bastien turned to Ember. “Looks like I’ll be taking the aptly namedShip of Fools.”
“All right.” Fain stepped back to leave.
“But my ship’s prettier!” Chayden pouted.
Fain growled at him. “There is something profoundly wrong with you, human.”
“Yes”—Chayden slid his gaze to Fain—“and he’s standing on my left.”
Fain shoved him away from him.
Ignoring them, Bastien said goodnight to Florian before Ember’s sisters took his son to wait for them in the bay.
As they headed out, Ryn pulled Bastien to the side. “Syn also came across some data while gathering those files you asked about that he wanted me to give to you personally.”
Bastien paused at the odd note in his voice. “What?”
Ember returned to listen.
A dark shadow haunted Ryn’s blue eyes as Jory stopped by his side. “Go ahead, cade. ’Tis something he’ll want to hear.”
Still Ryn hesitated.
Ember knew Bastien dreaded the words. But both of them were completely unprepared for the bomb he dropped on top of them.
“Your brother Quin? He’s still alive.”
CHAPTER15
Bastien couldn’t breathe as Ryn’s words slapped him. Hard. Unable to comprehend them, he shook his head. “No. I saw my brother die. In front of me.”
Ryn’s expression darkened. “And I swear to you that he’s alive. We wouldneverplay with you that way. There’s not a one of us who hasn’t been through hell for their family. And of all people, Syn isn’t the one to take the death of a sibling lightly.”
No, he wasn’t. It was common knowledge that he’d lost his sister to suicide. So no, he’d never toy with anyone about such a somber topic.
“He’s sure it’s Quin?”
Ryn nodded. “You and Ember come with me and I’ll explain it.”
Bastien hated to let his son go back home without them, but if his brother was alive, he needed to find him.
Sick to his stomach, he went to where Florian waited by the door.
“I know.” He flashed a grin at them. “Rian, go with Aunt Cin. Be good. Brush your teeth. Do your homework.”
