Part 46 (2/2)

His breathing ragged, Nero tried to stand. ”I... I can't.” Anguish darkened his silvery blue eyes as he met Galene's gaze. ”I'm so sorry, Galene.”

Hadrian tried, but after a minute, he let out a fierce scream of agony before he fell.

And when he did, she knew it was over. Nothing but silence rang in her ears.

Cold. Dark.

Horrifying.

Fain was dead. For a full heartbeat, she couldn't breathe as that reality crashed down on her with the weight of the wreckage that had killed the only husband she'd ever have.

And out of the bitter, aching darkness, she heard a strange squealing sound. At first, she thought it was her soul screaming over the agony she felt.

But after a minute, she realized it was the sound of metal being bent and pulled apart.

Stunned, she looked from Hadrian to Nero, who wore shocked expressions similar to hers.

Hadrian shot to his feet. ”There's another Trisani here.”

Jayne drew her blaster. ”Where?” She took aim at every shadow.

He glanced down at his wife and smirked. ”Given the amount of power I'm sensing, that will only p.i.s.s him or her off.”

Suddenly, Galene saw where the help was coming from. On her right, Dancer, who had slipped away while she'd been preoccupied with Talyn's medical care, approached her with Syn, Caillen, Ushara, and Nykyrian. They flanked a tall, cloaked figure who had to be the unknown Trisani. By the height and broad shoulders, he was obviously male.

Without a word, he moved with the fluid grace of a wild hunting beast toward her.

When he came even with her, he stopped by her side, yet there was no trace of his features. The design of his clothes kept every part of his form hidden from sight. Only his accent gave any clue to his esoteric origins. Lilting and deep, it was as mysterious, gruff, and majestic as he was. ”I swore to my blood oath brother that I would keep his family safe in his absence. And while I know you consider Jullien eton Anatole your bitter enemy, know that it is for him alone that I do this. I would never have exposed myself for anyone else.”

With those words spoken, he spread his hand out and lifted Fain effortlessly from the depths of the debris. More than that, he bathed both Fain's and Talyn's bodies in a strange orange glow.

Uncertain, Galene met Jayne's shocked gape. ”Is he healing them?”

She nodded wordlessly.

Unable to believe what was happening, Galene was torn between running to her son and to her husband. As if sensing that, the Tavali mystic lifted Fain's body with his thoughts and placed it beside Talyn's.

He gave her a harsh, red stare. ”There. Now you can reach them both, Commander.”

”Thank you,” she breathed before she ran to them to make sure they were all right.

By the time she got to them, they were sitting upright and staring at each other and her, every bit as shocked as she was. Laughing and crying, she grabbed Talyn and then Fain and rained kisses over both of them. ”I swear the two of you are trying your best to shorten my life.”

Fain couldn't speak as he held Galene against him and stared in amazement at being next to his son again. Unharmed and whole. ”Are you all right, Talyn?”

”Yeah. Think so. You?”

”Aside from your mother choking the life out of me... yeah.”

Galene nipped his chin before she pulled back. ”You ever die on me again, Fain Hauk, and I'll kill you.”

”Well okay, then. I'll keep that viable, sane threat in mind.”

”Commander?” the engineer closest to them said insistently. ”We've got to clear this area. We're still venting atmosphere!”

”All right. Clear it and seal it.”

As they pulled out, she saw the looks on Hadrian's and Nero's faces as they gaped at the new Trisani. ”Jayne?” she whispered. ”What's going on?”

”I think they know him.” Jayne slowed to wait on her husband.

Galene stayed with her.

But it wasn't until they were clear that Nero grabbed the mysterious Tavali and slammed him against the wall so hard, Galene was surprised it didn't leave a dent in it.

When he went to hit him again, Hadrian caught him and held him back. ”Stop it!”

”Stop it? Are you kidding? I haven't even begun the a.s.s-kicking I have planned!” He glared at the Tavali newcomer. ”How could you?”

The hood dissolved to show one of the most ruggedly handsome human faces Galene had ever seen. While Nero had dark blond hair and Hadrian brown, they were fair and angelic in appearance and features similar in ways to Ushara.

But Trajen was as beautifully dark as an Andarion. With dark hair and eyes. He looked nothing like any Trisani Galene had ever heard of. ”Don't you dare judge me, brother. You're lucky I haven't already killed you. Touch me again, and I promise you I will not show restraint.”

Hadrian's jaw went slack. ”He really is related to us?”

His breathing ragged, Nero nodded. ”Yeah. You've always asked me what our brother was like. Hadrian meet Trajen.” Nero's silvery blue eyes turned brittle. ”How could you let me think you dead all these years? I have spent my entire life trying to find some trace of what happened to you and Julia. Wanting closure. d.a.m.n you for it!”

Bitterness curled Trajen's lips. ”And I've spent my life trying my d.a.m.ndest to forget every moment of it all. d.a.m.n you.” With those cold words spoken, he turned and left them.

When Nero started after him, Ushara cut him off. ”Give him some s.p.a.ce. Please.”

He opened his mouth to speak, but she shook her head.

”Listen to me, Nero. I know him better than anyone. He didn't lash out at you. That's a good sign. Especially since you attacked him. Trust me. No one strikes him with immunity. No one.”

Tears glistened in Nero's eyes. ”What happened to him?”

Ushara hesitated before she answered. ”When Trisa fell, your uncle sold him and your sister into slavery.”

”He was supposed to protect them!”

”Yes, he was. Be glad you didn't make that last escape shuttle. Your mother was killed brutally in front of them as she sought to save their lives.”

Hadrian winced.

”Thaumarturgus,” Nero whispered. ”I should have known the first time I heard his name.”

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