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Sinead barely noticed how busy the docking bay was as she stood by Booby. She’d seen the pain on Talyn’s face, but he’d refused to acknowledge it as he’d almost shoved her down the ramp to get her out of his way.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” she muttered to herself. She’d seen the shock on his face when he’d used his ability on her.

Talyn had been hurting, but Sinead couldn’t figure out if it was because he’d used his ability or because he’d blocked it for too long.

She took a few steps away from Booby and stopped, turning to look back at the ship. Talyn was so buttoned up, but she’d seen the turmoil in those large eyes. There was something he was hiding. Something that troubled him more deeply than he’d ever admit.

Sinead walked back to Booby and pressed a hand against the side of the ship. She shouldn’t get involved. Talyn had made it clear he didn’t want her help. If she went back to check on him, she’d be seen as interfering. He might be angry.

She shook her head and strode to the open doors of the docking bay. Sinead was about to walk into the corridor when she turned back again. This was wrong. She couldn’t leave Talyn if he was suffering. If he shouted at her, she’d deal with it.

Sinead strode back to Booby and stood outside. The ramp was up so there was no way to get in. She checked the time and groaned. If she wasn’t in work in five minutes, she’d be late.

She opened a comm link on her wrist device and sent a message to Vegas to let her know she’d be an hour late. Vegas was a decent boss and would cover for her. So long as Diadora didn’t realize she wasn’t at her desk dead on nine, there’d be no problem.

“Booby,” she said quietly. “Any chance you can let the ramp down? I’m worried about Talyn. I need to check he’s okay. I’m not interfering. I’m just worried about him.”

A single light pulsed, and the ramp lowered.

“Thanks, Booby.” As Sinead reached the top of the ramp, she slowed. There were no lights on, just a dense, dark blackness. Her nerves fluttered at how creepy it felt.

“Any chance of some lights?” She inched into the ship, and the ramp shut behind her.

“I’m sorry, Sinead. The lights are off to protect Talyn.” Booby’s voice was barely a whisper.

“What’s going on?” Sinead placed a hand against the wall and used it to guide herself along the corridor.

“He’s recovering.”

“From what?”

Booby hesitated for a second too long. “I am not permitted to tell you.”

Sinead blew out a breath. “Okay, can you show me? Can you lead me to Talyn?”

“I can. Keep following the corridor you’re on. When you come to the second door on the right, that’s where he is.”

“Thanks, Booby. He’s safe, isn’t he?”

“He’s very safe. I will always keep him so.”

“But he’s not well? I sensed something was wrong before I left.”

“He’s as well as he can be. I cannot tell you more than that.”

“Has Talyn forbidden you from speaking about this problem?”

“He has.”

There was the proof, if she needed it, that Talyn was hiding something.

Sinead continued to inch along the corridor until she came to the second door. After some fumbling, she found the access panel and swiped a hand over it. The door slid open.

“Where is he?” she whispered.

A single, tiny light flared for a few seconds. It gave Sinead just enough light to see Talyn slumped on the floor by the side of his bed.

She hurried over and knelt next to him. “Talyn. Are you hurt?”