Not an event or mistake Maris was eager to repeat. He’d learned his lesson. For whatever reason, Darling’s mother really didn’t care about her eldest child.

But Maris did.

He sighed regrettably at the only other people in the universe who loved Darling as much as he did. “I’ve seen him bad off before, but never have I seen him like this. He has absolutely snapped. He’s gunning for any and everyone. I’m an idiot for being here.”

Nykyrian’s features sharpened. “Do we need to evac you?”

Maris shook his head. “No. Darling’s in consummate turmoil and agony, and like Cai said, I’m the only one he’ll let in a room with him right now. If I have to die for his friendship, so be it. I won’t leave him alone when he’s hurting this much.”

But it broke his heart to see Darling like this. Darling had always been so strong, so resolute. Maris wasn’t used to being the strength in their friendship. He was used to being able to lean on Darling.

How do I reach him before it’s too late?

Maris frowned as an idea came to him. “Nykyrian… when we rescued him, you said that you’d been where he is. What saved you from your madness?”

“My wife.”

“Excuse me?” Syn asked in a highly offended tone. “I think I was there for you a little longer than she was, by a couple of decades as I recall. No offense.”

Nykyrian rolled his eyes. “Syn helped, too.”

Syn snorted at that. “ ‘Helped’ my ass, you psycho son of a bitch. How many times have I been shot protecting your hulking ass? Yeah, I’m going to remember this the next time you’re in the dog house ’cause you left a sock on the floor or didn’t lower the seat, or an assassin comes at your back.”

Nykyrian gave him a feral grimace. But when he spoke, his soft, lilting tone belied his fierce expression. “Syn… what can I say? I love you, man. I can’t live without you. You are the air I breathe.”

Syn scooted his chair farther away. “Man, don’t say shit like that. Other people are listening.”

Jayne handed Syn a small pill container.

Syn frowned at it. “What’s this?”

“My period medication. I think you could use some.”

Hauk, Nero, and Caillen burst out laughing.

Grimacing, Syn gave it back to her, then glared at the three men who were still cracked up. “I hate you people.”

“I’m not people,” Hauk reminded him. “I only eat them.”

Ignoring them, Nykyrian returned his attention to Maris. “All idiocy aside, I was never as far gone as Darling is right now. I always had control of myself. As badly as I wanted to, I never gave in to my need for human extermination. Aside from, you know, assassination contracts. But that was business and not pleasure.”

Caillen nodded as he sobered. “Which is why we think you’re the only hope he has. He loves you, Maris. He always has. Can’t you seduce him or something? Give him one really good, mood-altering lay or blow, and make him see reason?”