She scoffed as she handed him the foil package that held an antiseptic cloth. “He wouldn’t beat you, Bastien.”

“Not gonna chance it. In case it’s escaped your notice, your male is a huge motherfucker. And I’ve had enough ass beating to tide me over for at least a month… Maybe longer.”

Shaking her head at him, she went to check on Thia. She sat on the ground with her legs drawn up tight to her chest, and her head lying on her knees.

Sumi brushed her hair back from her face. “You okay, sweetie?”

She nodded. “I just want to go home.”

“I know.”

Thia lifted her head. “Thank you, by the way.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Yes, you did. Uncle Hauk would never have taken a shot with me in that smelly bastard’s arms. You saved both our lives today.”

Sumi gave her arm a light squeeze and patted her hand. “I’m just glad you knew what I needed you to do. I think it’s safe to say you saved yourself.”

Thia didn’t respond. Instead, she narrowed her gaze on Sumi’s face. “You’re beautiful wearing the paint of a War Hauk. Not that you’re not beautiful anyway. But Andarion looks good on you.”

Sumi hugged her before she went to the last being she wanted to deal with.

Darice had been eerily quiet as he sat off, away from the group. That could not be a good thing for the normally verbose teen.

“How are you doing, kiddo?”

He glanced at her face, sneered, then quickly looked away. “Fine.”

“You need food or —”

“I’m fine!” he snapped.

“Okay.”

As she started away, his low tone stopped her. “Sumi?”

She paused to look back at him.

Biting his lip in an adorable manner that was identical to the one Dancer used, he glanced to his uncle. “I know what you and Dancer did.”

Her heart sank at his words. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do,” he said in an accusing tone. “Everyone will know. You can’t hide it. He’s stralen now.”

“Stralen?”

“His eyes.”

She scowled, wondering how Darice knew something about that when Dancer hadn’t. Or had Dancer known and just not told her? “What about them?”

“It’s a very rare condition that only manifests when an Andarion male has sex with someone he’s possessive over, and then any time he has a strong adrenaline rush after that. If his feelings for the one he’s bonded to are exceedingly strong, it’s permanent and never goes away. My mother told me that the only Andarion she’s ever known to have it was my father. And his was bad, according to her.”

Sumi was aghast at Darice’s knowledge of something he shouldn’t have been told about. “Your mother talked about that with you?”