Page 87 of Deadmen's Queen

“I thought…”

“We know. We did too.”

“She’s safe?” he looked over at Bast, who sighed.

“She’s alive, Tris. And we’re going to find her.”

Tristan stared at him. “He took her, didn’t he?”

Bast nodded. “We think so. We’re going to find her, Tris, but we need to know what you saw that night.”

The doctor moved up next to Bast.

“You’ve calmed him down, but I need to examine my patient and make sure he hasn’t burst any stitches.”

“I'm fine,” muttered Tristan.

“Mr Blackwood, you were stabbed twenty seven times. You are extremely lucky to be alive, so I think I’ll be the judge of whether you are fine or not.”

Bast nodded, his jaw clenched as he moved away, letting the doctor pass. I let go of Tristan, and he didn't move but he looked up at Bast.

“It was him. He said she was his and we ruined her. He had one of our masks.”

“A Reaper? Shit!” Bast’s anger was clear, but Tristan shook his head.

“No, he was too old. Middle aged I reckon. And he drove a van. One of those Fords… something… shit I can’t remember.”

“You’re doing great,” I said gently.

“It was dark red. Old, maybe a 2002 plate I think…” he winced, and I saw the bloom of red on his hospital gown.

“Doctor?” I said, moving back quickly.

The doctor nodded. “He’s torn some stitches. I’m going to have to ask you to leave now.”

I nodded, and Bast reached down, putting his hand on Tristan's arm.

“You did good,” he said softly. “And we’ll find her.”

Tristan nodded. “Find her.” His face tightened as he gritted his teeth. “And find him.”

“Oh, we will,” I said. “I promise you.”

We walked back out into the hallway, and I leaned back against the wall, suddenly feeling extremely tired and weary. Bast did the same next to me and sighed.

“He’s alive.”

I nodded.

“I thought…” He trailed off, but I knew what he meant.

“Me too.”

“Fuck, Nate. If he’d…”

“He didn’t.” I knew what he was feeling, because I felt the same. We’d nearly lost Tristan once before, and we’d sat at his hospital bed then. I swallowed hard. This really wasn’t the time, but suddenly I realised I couldn’t keep it hidden any longer. Paige had allowed me to unleash my demons with her, and I was finally starting to heal because of it. Now I needed to give my friends the same consideration. I took a deep breath.

“Bast, we need to talk.”