Rather than bombard Bas with questions like before, we let him share what he wants to, but talk seems secondary at the moment anyway. All we really want to do is witness the hereness of him, and appreciate the togetherness of now.
"I was the same way in the beginning with food," he says. "I wondered if I'd starve here. I got so hungry I thought about eating dirt. I had no idea it would get better, but there's a farm where I've been living. We have fruit orchards, gardens, chickens, dairy cows, and enough livestock to … "
Suddenly self-conscious, he picks up a stick and traces lines in the dirt, his hair falling across his eyes. Our actor, revealing too much truth too quickly. I listen to the fire, proud of the guys for being so patient and sensitive in letting this unfold.
"So, you're alive," Gideon says, wrecking it. Done with subtlety.
Bas looks up and laughs humorlessly. "Actually, I wasn't completely sure about that until I saw you guys just now. I know you're all probably wondering what happened to me. I bet you've got so many questions, but … " He props his long arms on his knees. "I'd really rather hear what you guys have been up to first."
We all look at each other.
"We've been looking for you," Jode says. "We've been trying to work out how to get you back."
Bas smiles. A dashing smile, like when he first saw me. I'd forgotten how beautiful he is. Steep cheekbones and full lips. A long straight nose. Eyes the color of dark chocolate that actually deserve to be called dreamy. I see that new quality in them again, but now I'm closer to understanding it. It reminds me of Marcus and Gideon. Of having taken some hefty knocks in life. But it only makes Bas more appealing. Added to his black armor, he's every bit the roguish warrior who will make you laugh to deflect away from his dark secrets.
"Thanks, Jode. That makes me feel good," Bas says, with the easy candor I remember. "That can't be all you did, though. Someone had to have done something more interesting."
Gideon sits forward. "Well, you probably haven't noticed, but I lost my hand."
"I did notice, in fact."
"I figured. But I got this as a replacement. It's actually pretty cool when I'm not in here. Because it works."
Bas smiles. "It suits you."
Such a simple thing to say. But it's not pity and it's not false. I can tell Gideon appreciates that. I can tell it means a lot.
"I've been in Wyoming working at a ranch," I say, trying to give Bas what he actually wants. I understand how he feels. Just over a week ago, I felt out of the loop myself. "I teach little kids to ride and rope. And we do arts and crafts."
"That reminds me." Gideon hops to his feet and goes to one of the supply bags, reaching inside. He comes back with Bastian's scales. "Here you go, man."
Sebastian's smile fades away as he takes the weapon, a chain of smoke-colored steel with scales on either end-scales that are currently interlocked. He looks at it so fondly. It makes me realize how much he sacrificed all these months without a single possession from home-not a single thing to call his. "Thank you."
"Anytime."
Bas smiles. He looks around. "What else?"
"Well, I've been at Cambridge," Jode says.
"Jode's also been with Anna," Marcus adds with a mischievous smile.
Gideon shakes his head. "A little respect?"
I'm glad to see them teasing each other. I was worried about the fallout from the haunting, but with Sebastian back, everyone's happy. United.
Bas's eyes go wide, turning from Jode to Gideon. "Wait, wait, wait. Your sister? That Anna?"
"Yes, that Anna," Jode says. "And I truly don't see why it's such an issue for you, Gideon. It's not as though I've shared the details about-"
"One more word, Jode. Seriously, man. One more."
Jode laughs. "Anyhow." He gestures between Gideon and me. "I think we're looking past the obvious here."
Bas breaks into a huge grin. "You two? The two of you? That's awesome!"
"I broke down her defenses," Gideon says matter-of-factly.
"He didn't," I say. "My defenses are perfectly secure. We're conducting friendly negotiations."
"Our negotiations are a lot more than friendly."
"On occasion."
"Such passion," Jode says. "It's electrifying."
But Bas is loving this. "I kept thinking about what you were all doing while I was in here. And I pictured this-this exact moment. The five of us together again, catching up. When Rael told me he saw you, Daryn, I knew it was only a matter of time. I knew you'd come for me. We've been riding through this area since then, looking for you. I left the note-did you get my note?"