At the mention of Lise, he choked on a sob.

“Take it easy, Darling.” Syn put his hand on his shoulder again to steady him. “Annalise isn’t dead. She lived, okay? She used her powers to pretend to be dead in the hangar so that they would leave her alone. It was a bad injury, but she’s recovered from it now.”

Darling held his breath as that news echoed in his head.

Annalise was really alive? Could it be true? Dare he even hope?

He tried to speak, then choked again.

“Careful. Breathe slowly. Remember what I told you about speaking… And yes, I’m serious. Hold on.” Syn removed his hand from Darling’s shoulder.

After a few seconds, Darling heard a link buzzing.

“Hello?” It was Lise’s beautiful voice.

Tears stung his eyes as he whispered a silent prayer of gratitude. She was alive. Never in his life had anything meant more to him.

His precious Lisie lived…

“Hey, Annalise, it’s Syn. I have Darling with me. He’s finally awake. He can hear you, but he can’t speak. I need you to say something to him so that he knows you’re all right.” Syn moved the link closer to Darling’s ear.

“Sashi?” Lise sounded thrilled. “Hey, big shilo. I’m so glad you’re back, you had us worried sick, and you made me flunk all of my exams. I had to repeat the entire semester. Thanks a lot. I still love you though, and I’m so glad you’re still with me. Don’t ever scare me like this again. You hear me? I have to have my good brother around. The other two really suck.”

In spite of her chastising him, her voice was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up. I stayed with you for over a month.”

“I’m the one who told her to go back to school,” Syn said, interrupting her. “There was nothing she could do to help and once school started back, I knew you’d want her in class.”

He was right. Had he been conscious, Darling would have insisted on it.

“I’m on semester break right now,” Lise continued, “so I’ll come see you first thing in the morning. I promise. Even if I have to hijack something. I love you, Darling. Please get better soon.”

“Thanks, Lise,” Syn said. “Is your mother or brother around?”

“Drake isn’t. He left a little while ago for a date, but let me check on Momair.”

Unfortunately, Lise forgot to put the link on mute. He heard her walk from her room to their mother’s.

“Hey, Momair? Darling’s finally awake and he’s on the link. You want to say hi to him?”

His mother let out a long breath of frustration. “Can’t you see I’m busy, child? Really? He’s been unconscious for months now, I don’t think I need to rush to speak to him right this second, do you?”

“But—”

“Don’t interrupt me. Tell him that we’re all right, no thanks to him. Does he have any idea what he’s put you through? How much damage he caused you to suffer? The scars you now have on your back? It’s awful. Because of his puerile selfishness, you’ll be disfigured for the rest of your life. And for what? So that he could pretend to play hero and get abducted? He’s useless. I can’t believe I thought for one instant that he might actually be able to help us. I guess we’ll have to wait for Drake to get older. Maybe then things will get better.”