38: You remember what happened to Howard

Camille watched as reptilian eyes blinked at her before she tilted her head to the side. The large head in front of her did the same however, those dark eyes were focused on what was in her hand rather than on her face. Satisfied she had teased her opponent enough, Camille flicked her hand, letting the brightly coloured ball sail through the air and bounce along the floor.

Hunter was off the couch like a flash, darting across the room with that same eagerness as a dog to chase his beloved toy.

It had been three days since Camille had finally been released from the hospital and had moved in with Jag. To her surprise, he had set her up in the guest room, stating that until she was fully recovered, they would be taking things slowly. He also confessed that the bombings had added to his work load and Jag wasn't sure when he word be around.

Camille was mostly okay with the arrangement. She wasn't sure she was ready to jump into bed with any of her males and was grateful for the time to adjust. So far, she had only seen the three men separately which was a little amusing but also odd. She couldn't work out if they were doing it intentionally or if it was purely coincidental.

The downside of still being on bed rest was the boredom. Camille knew it was for her own benefit but it didn't stop the craving to go outside. It had been weeks since she had been able to go for a walk and or simply get some fresh air and it seemed it would be a while longer before she got back to a normal routine. At least she had Hunter for company. The alien creature had barely left her side since she had moved in and she often found him asleep outside her bedroom door.

Hunter suddenly let out a chortling sound when the door to the apartment opened. The game of fetch was momentarily forgotten in favour of greeting Sid who appeared with a brown paper bag and his usual smile. His hair was growing back in and currently the ice white tresses were slightly mussed probably from him running his hands through it when he was working. He was wearing his usual fatigues as well, the black t-shirt pulled taut over muscle, living little to the imagination. Camille hadn’t noticed before but his arms now had more markings however, unlike Jag’s which were white on dark blue skin, Sid’s were golden, shimmering like coins under water.

Had Jag and Sid gone and gotten new tattoos?

Camille knew that the markings on a Draygonian’s face were added when they reached sexual maturity. They signified tribe rank and family. Some were even to denote certain life events such as loss of a loved one. Where they were placed also had significance but Camille hadn’t seen anything about these new ones that now adorned Sid’s arms. They didn’t technically look like anything like the typical tattoos they normally got either.

"Hungry?" Sid asked as the door slid shut behind him and the giant male dodged the taego trying to mug him of the food he had brought along.

"Sure Camille smiled but it failed to reach her eyes. "What did you bring me?"

The truth was, Camille had an appetite but she didn't feel like eating. She didn't want to seem ungrateful but sitting around all day eating wasn't her idea of a great time. Apparently, her glumness was picked up on because Sid set the bag down on the coffee table before sitting on the couch, concern etched into his face.

"Everything okay, beautiful?" Sid asked, yellow eyes searching for any sign of discomfort or injury.

"It's nothing." Camille put on a brave face. "Just restless."

Sid nodded, seemingly understanding what Camille was actually trying to say without offending anyone. How Sid did that both amazed but also baffled the blonde.

"You have been cooped up in here for a few days." He agreed, one of his hands cupping Camille's cheek. "How about this? You rest up for today and tomorrow I will smuggle you out. We can go have lunch in the park."

"Really?" She couldn't help but perk up, her blue eyes brightening at the prospect.

"Really." Sid smiled. "Besides, I am back on patrol next week so I want to spend as much time as I can with you as I can before I go."

"You're on patrol again?" Camille felt her heart sink. She barely got to spend any time with Sid. "But you just got back."

"I know but with there being a chance that the people behind the bombings will strike again, we need to increase security."

Camille nodded at that. She couldn't argue with the logic. "So where are they sending you this time?"

"We're meeting up with a team from the Ark in Chicago and a team from the Ark in Toronto. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you much more than that." Sid explained with a sheepish smile. "It'll be safe and I will be back before you know it."

“Okay, and hopefully when you get back, I’ll be all healed up and able to go more than just sit on the couch!” Camille replied.

“Well there are some fun things we can without leaving the couch.” Sid suggested, not even trying to hide the smirk that tugged at his luscious lips.

Camille raised an eyebrow. She knew what Sid was suggesting and yet, before she could say anything, Sid’s lips were on hers. It wasn’t a demanding kiss. There was a gentleness to it and yet it was playful as if promising more to come with time. It was a kiss only Sid could provide her with. Camille found herself learning from each interaction with the males how very different they were from one another. Even now, as she kissed Sid while sinking into his warmth and letting those strong muscled arms wrap around her, Camille was awestruck by how different they were.

A hum of pleasure escaped Camile when the kiss deepened. Her lip parted, giving Sid’s tongue permission to explore, while her own hands appeared to have a mind of their own, moving upwards until her fingers were sliding through Sid’s hair. The small action earned her a soft, purr-like growl from Sid, his arms flexing instinctively to draw Camille’s body closer to his.

“We should stop before we end up doing more than kissing.” Sid murmured when he had broken the kiss and his mouth was now caressing the delicate skin on Camille’s throat.

“Then why aren’t you stopping?” Camille replied, her breath hitching when sharp canines grazed her skin teasingly.

“Because I love the sounds you make when I kiss you.” The male smirked against her skin.

The apartment door opening burst the couple’s lusty bubble and Camille squealed in fright from the sudden sound. Pulling away from Sid, her cheeks burnt in embarrassment when her eyes connected with Jag’s as he came through the door. The male didn’t appear disturbed or upset by want he was seeing. At least, the frown on his face didn’t seem to be Camille’s fault anyway. She worried that, despite all three men saying otherwise, they would be hurt if they saw her with one of them and not the others. How could she not think that way? This wasn’t normal for humans and Camille it was going to take a long time to get used to it.

“Ah, hey Jag.” Sid spoke up, letting Camille go with a chuckle while she scooted away like a child caught trying to steal from the cookie jar. “How was the meeting?”

“The same as usual.” Jag replied as he wandered deeper into the apartment. “I thought you were meant to be resting.”

The question was directed at Camille, making her squirm a little in her seat. Jag had been perhaps a little over the top with his mothering but every time Camille protested, he would remind her that it was in fact doctor’s orders and he was simply ensuring that she recovered fully. It didn’t matter if she was bored out of her skull. And in a way, Camille agreed. Yes she was bored but that wasn’t exactly the end of the world. There were worse things to experience but since bringing her to live in his apartment, Jag had no touched her once and it was safe to say she was going nuts. It was Jag’s fault as well. He often wandered around the apartment shirtless first thing in the morning. Camille couldn’t even work out if he was being blasé on purpose or he truly was oblivious to how easily it got under Camille’s skin. That wasn’t to say that she was trying to make Jag jealous but it was unfair of him to get to her in such a way and not even kiss her.

“I am resting.” Camille finally replied, jutting her chin out defiantly as blue eyes flashed with annoyance. “All I’ve been doing is rest. I really think I well enough to start work again.”

“That isn’t necessary.” Jag dismissed the suggestion.

“What?” Camille jolted up in her seat, wide widening in confusion. “Why is it not necessary?”

“Emma, I promise to explain everything this evening.” Jag replied calmly. “But right now I need to speak with Sid about something. Why don’t you invite Charlotte over while we’re gone?”

“She’s working.” Camille gritted out.

It wasn’t Jag who looked guilty for mentioning it but rather Sid who hopped up from his seat. “Sorry, beautiful.” He murmured, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “I’ll message you about tomorrow.”

Camille didn’t say anything as she watched the two men head back out of the apartment, leaving her alone once more.

---

“Everything is in place and ready for your arrival.” The familiar feminine voice announced calmly.

“Good.” Nathan nodded, his face remaining stoic as he reviewed the recent files he had downloaded. “I will be in New York at the end of the week. I need you to make sure that these blue bastards find these files in the meantime.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so.” Nathan replied, the slight coolness in his tone like a papercut to the woman on the other end of the call. “Don’t think for a second that I’ve overlooked your stupid actions.”

“It was an accident.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “She survived didn’t she? Besides, why are you so desperate to keep her alive? She’s worthless to the cause!”

“Don’t question me,” the words struck like knives, poison leaking from the voice that spoke them. “I expect you to do as you are told and do it well. You won’t like what happens if you defy me. You remember what happened to Howard, don’t you?”

The silence on the other end was answer enough. Everyone remembered what happened to Howard. He had been made an example of for defying orders from the higher ranks. Of course he hadn’t done it maliciously. Howard had simply been too eager to prove himself and that meant he thought he knew better than everyone else including Nathan and the other leaders. If had been any of the other leaders then perhaps Howard would have had a fair trial but Nathan’s temper was like a missile strike. It had been directed at Howard and Howard only and when it was all done, Nathan had paraded the results of his wrath around as a warning to anyone who dared cross him again.

Howard was now living in a state run care home eating his meals through a straw.

“Make sure the files are easily found and they can be linked back to Camille.” Nathan reaffirmed his orders. “I’ll see you in a few days. Don’t disappoint me.”

He didn’t wait for an answer, ending the call and leaning back in his seat. Before the week was out, there would be two more attacks to draw their enemies attention away from their real plans. He had relied on other soldiers to fulfil those plans though. If the latest bombing was anything to go by, he couldn’t trust his mole to do the work for him. He should have left her in California to be found out but prison was too good for her and she was the only one capable of hacking the network to obtain or plant the information they needed. It would take too long to find someone new and get them embedded behind enemy lines. It hadn’t exactly been easy in the first place.

Sighing, Nathan picked up his untouched glass of whiskey and his phone. The screen lit up immediately as his lips touched the rim of the glass and let the burning amber liquid pass his lips. He had to admit Camille looked good as a blonde although, he wasn’t sure about the length. He’d probably make her grow it back out again but keep the shade once she was back with him. He couldn’t wait to see the expression on her face when he turned up to reclaim her either. He had been patient, even when some Draygonian piece of shit thought he had the right to all but fuck her. He couldn’t blame her though, she thought she was free to do as she pleased. How wrong his little bird was though and he looked forward to reminding her of that.

“I told you, you never get away from me, baby girl.” He murmured to the image with a smirk. “You belong to me.”