CHAPTER6
Bastien grabbed his blaster as he heard the sound of an engine. But after his heartbeat quit drowning the sound out, he realized it was Jullien making another supply run to him.
True to his word, he hadn’t forgotten him. As often as he could, Jullien popped in with food, medicine, ammo, and weapons.
Thraix with porn, comedy, and top-notch alcohol Bastien was sure had to be banned in most systems.
And between those unlikely two was always Unira with her calm, mothering nature.
Bastien holstered his weapon as he headed outside to greet them.
As soon as the ramp lowered, Jullien’s adopted son Vasili came running down to greet him. The boy was so thrilled to be added to the crew that he didn’t even mind whenever Jullien gave him the crap tasks, hoping to make Vas rethink becoming Tavali.
“Bas!”
He embraced the eager teen who was also a blond Fyreblood Andarion like Unira and Jullien’s wife Ushara. “Hey, kid. How you doing?”
“Good.”
“Your sisters still making you crazy?”
Vasili screwed his face up as Bastien mentioned the half sisters Jullien had fathered with Vas’s mother. “I love them, but… yeah. One day you’re going to meet them and see what a handful twins are.”
Bastien laughed. He’d love nothing more than to meet Jullien’s wife and toddler daughters. “And your mom?”
“Havinganotherbaby.”
Bastien arched a brow at the teen’s tone. “You okay with that?”
“I’m praying for a brother who can run some interference with the spider twins.”
Ruffling his hair and laughing, Bastien stepped away to greet Thraix, Unira, and Jullien. But the moment he did, he caught the look on their faces that said they were bringing bad news to his door.
“What’s going on?”
Jullien handed him a tactical pack. “Have you heard the latest?”
“About…”
“The Caronese have declared war on The League, and with them the Triosans, Andarions, Garvons, Gourish, and Exeterians.”
“So basically The Sentella started the war and their nations are backing?”
Jullien nodded.
Bastien grimaced at the nightmare that had to be. “And The Tavali?”
“Two of the four Nations have already signed on. So far, the Gorts are not a part of it.”
“Because Trajen won’t let them fight it,” Thraix said under his breath.
Unira sighed. “For good reason. I’m glad he’s keeping us out of it. I’ve no wish to start conducting funeral services over those I love.”
Yet Bastien knew the gleam in Jullien’s eyes that said his cousin had different plans. “Well, let us get to your supplies. I know you’ve been waiting on some of them.”
When Bastien started after them, Thraix pulled him aside. “Just so you know, your loved ones are safe from the war.”
Bastien’s blood went cold at his words. “My loved ones are all dead.”
