Chapter 46

Bastian stood in the shadows at the bus station. He was used to staying out of sight, but with a busy place like this, it was harder to do. He watched a bus pull out and turned to look if any more were coming in. That’s when he spotted Crissy standing on the other side of the drop-off area. Beside her were two large men, Prince Quinton and his brother, Emil.

As he started to go over to them, the sound of the bikes got his attention. Ava and two of her housemates pulled up alongside the boarding area. He wasn’t sure which women came with her because they wore helmets. She gave him a quick salute and then got off her bike and stood there with her arms crossed over her chest.

He hadn’t thought to bring a parade with him for Nova’s return, but if there was trouble, they were more than prepared for it now. Bastian quickly headed over to where Crissy stood. Nodding to Quinton, he glanced at Crissy. “How did you know when she was due back?”

“I saw it.” She pulled a small red ball out of her pocket and rolled it in her hand.

Bastian glanced at the brother that looked so much like prince Arius it was haunting. He was watching a bus as it came in. Quinton was watching the people. Turning back to Crissy, he was surprised by the serious look she gave him. “Did you see it in a good way?”

She continued to look at him. “You haven’t thought about it yet, but you need to think about it before you do it.” She nodded and then put the ball back in her pocket and looked at the bus pulling in.

He was about to ask what when something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. Two men were lurking in the shadows, and they were Solrelm residents. “Did you bring one of your little zapper boxes?” He didn’t look away from the men to see if the princes heard him.

“Leone is nearby,” Quinton said in a low voice.

“Perfect. There are two of mine here and unless they’re here as part of the welcome back party, they shouldn’t be here.”

Crissy moved closer to him. “That’s why I brought Quinton and Emil with me.” She looked up at him. “I’m here because you need my help.”

Someday he needed to sit the princess down and talk about her timing. Normally her cryptic speak was entertaining, but not in moments like this. He turned and looked over to where Ava stood, she was looking back at him and he didn’t know how she knew what was happening, but she nodded her head once and the three women moved toward where the bus would unload.

Feeling confident they would get Nova home safely, he turned back to look at Quinton. “Might want to call your brother to come with the magic box,” he jerked his chin toward the two men that still stood in the darkened space.

“Those two?” the gruff prince asked.

Bastian pulled his wand out of his pocket. “I can stun one, but it only lasts a few short moments.” He smirked at Quinton. “Your presence will stun the other one.”

Emil spoke quietly and Bastian assumed it was over the com he had in his ear because he started walking and didn’t look at him.

“How am I doing that?” Quinton frowned at him.

Both moved with him as Bastian started in the direction of the two lawless men. “The mix of your Alterealm soul with your lovely mate’s Solrelm one.” Bastian glanced over at him. “It’s a beacon that will stun them long enough to wonder how that happened, assuming they don’t already know.”

“From what Troy has seen in their heads, they don’t know shit.”

“Well then, let’s enlighten them.” He watched the men straighten up, but it wasn’t because they were walking in their direction. Their attention was on the bus and from the interest on their faces, Bastian knew Nova had gotten off that bus.

They stepped out of the darkness and then froze when one of them looked right at Bastian and his large Alterealm friend. “Slumming it in the dirty city, gentlemen?”

The one who looked like he was in the brightest spotlight ever was paralyzed with stage fright.

“Just, uh, checking it out.” The other one said trying to seem nonchalant. If the fear wasn’t so plain in his eyes, he might have pulled it off.

Bastian shrugged. “Relax, I’m off duty. I won’t tattle on you infringing in my region.” He just needed them to stay put so he could get close enough to him without the wand. Of course, at this very moment, he wanted to bash him in the head with it. That would count as touching though, so it worked for him.

The one frozen on the spot elbowed the other man, his eyes rounded as he looked up at Quinton.

“Allow me to do the introductions.” Bastian lifted his hand in the prince’s direction. “Prince Quinton of Alterealm may I introduce...” He paused. “I’m sorry, what are your names?” He moved the wand from behind his back and jabbed it against the one’s neck.

“Idiot and stupid,” Prince Leone said from behind them as he made the one gawking at Quinton disappear.

“Fitting.” Bastian nodded and watched as Leone dispatched the second one.

“Did they know?” Leone glanced from his brother to Bastian. “That she was arriving now?”

Quinton was looking around the area. “Looked more like they were just lurking around keeping watch.”

Bastian put the wand in his pocket. “It’s a bit too coincidental for me.” He shoved his sleeve up and took the link off his wrist and then pulled out his phone. Stabbing the screen as frustration coursed through him, he didn’t even give Trendan a chance to speak on the other end. “Get to the control room and take note of all present. They’re tracking me.”

“Shit.” He could hear his boots on the floor. “I was just headed there.”

The sound of bikes starting up made Bastian turn in time to see Ava riding away with Nova on the back of the bike.

“Four,” Trendan said quietly.

“Who’s at the panel?” He watched Crissy and Emil step into the shadowed area and then vanish. Had they ever been seen appearing or disappearing? He needed to remember to ask that sometime.

“Three of them are close to it.”

Bastian scowled. “Who?”

“Weldon, Garan and Elyas,” Trendan whispered.

Bastian rolled his eyes at the mention of his eldest brother. “I thought he would be still grilling his intended.”

Trendan scoffed, “You know he probably sleeps under the control desk, right?”

Bastian grinned, his brother using sarcasm. It warmed his heart. “Start digging into the other two and tell big brother to go take a nap or something.”

“Yeah, I’ll get right on that.” He hung up.

“Well?” Quinton stood there looking down at him.

Bastian glanced around to see Emil was also gone. “Nothing obvious.”

The prince grunted, “Stop looking for the obvious.”

“Care to give me a lift to the Gemini residence?” He looked around at anyone close, checking if there were any other dark-souled bastards lurking.

Quinton nodded. “What was Crissy talking about? That she was here to help you?”

Tucking his phone in his pocket, Bastian stepped close to him and put his hand on the man’s forearm. “I have no idea, but I think we’ll find out shortly.”

“I should have brought my swords,” Quinton grumbled just before he ported them.