Without a word, Syn returned to them. He let out an irritated sigh as he checked Dancer’s IV. “How much do I have to give you to keep you unconscious? Damn Andarion metabolism. Stay down, beast!”
He fanged Syn then looked at Fain. “Kill him.”
“I would, but his wife would tear me up. And no offense, she scares me. You really don’t.”
Ignoring them, Syn added more medicine to the IV as a skimmer appeared. A small team of medics ran off the craft with lifts for Dancer and Bastien.
It was only then that Fain glanced in his direction. His jaw went slack as instant recognition lit his white eyes. “Bas!” he said with a laugh. “And here I thought you dead. Should have known better.”
Bastien gave Fain a droll, offended stare as they placed him on the lift. “Your brother damn near finished whatyoustarted. Luckily, I’m like a cockroach. Hard to kill.”
Shaking his head, Fain patted him on his arm. “It’s good to see you again,drey. Thank you for fighting with my brother for me.”
“Only for you,drey. Only for you.”
The medics rushed Bastien into the skimmer, then took him to a massive interstellar ship and to a medical bay that was as impressive as the best-equipped hospital.
There were people everywhere.
Never had Bastien felt lonelier. How weird that he was more isolated here than he’d been while alone in his desert base. At least there, it wasn’t as obvious that he had no one. But for some reason, having people nearby who didn’t give a shit about him hurt a whole hell of a lot more.
Tears welled in his eyes as he remembered a time when he’d been flippant about being the center of attention. Dismissive of his family’s overbearing love.
“Hey,” Syn said as he finally came in and checked the IV they’d started in Bastien’s arm. “I’m going to put you under and get that tracking device out of you, if that’s okay?”
He had to ask?
“You get that out of me, Doc, and I’ll kiss you for it.”
Syn grinned at him. “Don’t let my wife catch you. She’s insanely jealous.” He put his hand on Bastien’s shoulder. “Just relax. We’ll have you up to running speed real soon.”
Nodding, Bastien closed his eyes and waited for the drug to take effect.
Syn watched as his patient drifted off, then checked his vitals. In spite of his unkempt condition, malnutrition, and slight dehydration, Bastien was remarkably fit. Injuries notwithstanding.
But hell, anyone spending time with Hauk was going to come away wounded. The bastard could find trouble lurking in a nunnery.
As he left the room to prepare for surgery, he found Nykyrian waiting for him in the hallway. “What’s up?”
“Came to check on Bastien.”
“He’ll be fine.” Syn scowled as he caught the shadow in Nyk’s green eyes. The two of them had been friends for a long time. Wingmen for so long that Syn could finish any sentence Nyk started. “You don’t trust him?”
“I don’t know him. Hauk said he found some items in the base that had come from Jullien.”
“Jullien.… Your brother?”
He nodded, and there was no way to miss the burning hatred in that cold expression. “If they’ve partnered up…”
“I don’t think he’s partnered with anyone, Nyk. He’s in bad shape. Been alone and scrounging for a long time. Trust me, I know the signs.” He’d been a gutter rat himself and lived among the sewers, barely surviving until Nyk had saved his life.
Nykyrian rubbed at his neck. “Still… my father said that the evidence against Bastien was substantial. Aside from eyewitness testimony, he was found covered in my aunt’s blood. His prints all over the murder weapon.”
“You gotta know he didn’t do it, though. No one would have shot up his family and stayed there, waiting to be arrested for it. He’s notthatstupid. If he were, he’d have never survived on his own.”
Nykyrian crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re right. The testimony came from his uncle who inherited the throne in his stead. And his ex-wife, who got a divorceandBastien’s property, money, and titles out of it.”
“Follow the creds.” Syn sucked his breath in sharply. “Um, yeah… he definitely didn’t do it.” Having been accused in a corrupt legal system, Syn knew a setup when he heard one. “They framed that boy.”
