Chapter 435 Chapter 435
Emersyn had to force herself to go down the hill slowly. The second Noah walked into her sight and motioned for them to come down, her heart started racing. “Does he look upset?” She couldn’t tell from this far away.
Kobie went down the slope and put her hand out to help her follow, “I’m not sure, Noah doesn’t express much as far as expressions go.”
Sliding a few feet, Emersyn paused and looked back down at him, “his eyes, they tell you everything.”
Kobie kept going, carefully placing her feet, “maybe I don’t speak the same language as his then.”
Emersyn wanted to watch him as she went down, but she needed to pay attention. Falling down the hill and injuring herself was not what she needed when she was moments away from seeing Aspyn again. She winced when she put her arms out to balance herself, yes, she didn’t need another injury.
The last ten feet or so, she no longer cared if she fell, she went by Kobie and ran down them. The momentum almost landed her on her face, but Noah was there and caught her before it happened. She grasped his jacket and looked up at him, “did you see her? Is she here?”
“I’m not sure. There are a few little girls that look like Blair here,” he glanced over his shoulder, “there are nineteen people here, Emersyn.”
She nodded, of course, they had other things to do.
“We’re going to move them into the cabin so they can warm up and get some food,” his brow creased, “maybe wash up a bit.”
Emersyn clung to his arm as he spoke, her knees felt like they were going to give out. She nodded again, “but everyone is all right?”
He turned and started walking, she was so glad he didn’t move his arm from her grip, she wasn’t sure she could walk on her own right now. If Aspyn wasn’t here…
“They’re dirty, cold, underfed, but otherwise okay.” His tone was barely more than a whisper.
“Oh my god.” Kobie stopped and looked at the sheds, “I thought maybe they just looked small from up there.”
“It’s bad.” He glanced at her and then motioned with his head to keep walking. “Blair’s close to losing his—” he cleared his throat, “losing it.”
Kobie blew out a breath, “I figured it would sink in soon.” She navigated around the last shed and then stopped, “has he talked to them yet?”
“No. He and Calum want to talk to the men in the cabin and then we’ll go through it.” He looked down at Emersyn’s hand and then placed his over top of hers. “I think he’s waiting for you to be here to talk to them.”
Kobie nodded and walked quickly toward the cabin.
Noah walked slowly, looking down at her every few seconds like he was waiting for her to have a breakdown. Honestly, she was close to it. She wanted to know if Aspyn was here, but what if she wasn’t?
“They’re all by the fire,” he pointed, “once Calum brings Lindon’s followers out of the back of the cabin, we’ll move them inside.”
She nodded; not sure she had a voice to speak. Her heart was beating erratically. Her cat was close but watchful. A little body with snowy blonde hair ran out from between two of the sheds and right by them. Emersyn held her breath. Her hair was the same color as Aspyn’s. “Are there a lot of Lindon’s children here?”
Noah gave her a careful look, “I’m not sure, a few with that hair color.”
The hand on his arm started to shake, and she blew out a breath, trying to prevent the overload she knew was coming.
“Emersyn,” his tone was hard, but gentle at the same time.
She lifted her chin, swatting at the tears on her cheek. He gave her a quick smile.
“Look.”
She followed where he pointed. There was a woman sitting on the cold damp ground, in her lap was a little girl, her blonde hair the same as the last. When she turned her head, Emersyn put her hand over her mouth to stop the sob. It was her baby. “Aspyn.” She whispered and then started running, “Aspyn.” She called louder.
Aspyn looked around and then saw her. She could see the excitement on her face.
“Mommy.”
She’d been so afraid her own daughter wouldn’t recognize her. The woman nodded to her, and those short legs started running toward her.
Emersyn dropped to her knees when she was close and held open her arms. Aspyn launched herself into them. “Oh, baby, I’m so happy to see you.” She hugged her and closed her eyes, not caring that the tears were rolling down her cheeks. “Are you all right?” She leaned back and looked at her. The silky hair was matted, and her face was filthy, but those blue eyes were so bright and happy—she was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.
“Penny watched me.” Aspyn dropped down to sit on one of Emersyn’s legs. “She kept me warm too.”
Emersyn looked back to the woman she’d been sitting with. She smiled at her, making the tears flow freely. “That’s good, baby.” She hugged her again, “I’m sorry I wasn’t here.” She felt someone walk up behind her and somehow knew it was Noah. She looked up at him through the tears in her eyes. “This is Noah, baby, he came and got me and brought me here.”
Noah gave her a quick look and then smiled down at her daughter.
‘Thank you’, she mouthed to him. When he looked away, she glanced to see why. Calum was coming out of the cabin with a man, his hands were tied behind his back. Blaise met him at the steps and grabbed the man’s arm and dragged him along to the closest shed, she opened the door and shoved him in.
Emersyn hugged Aspyn to her, angling her body so she wouldn’t see the men coming out like that. She was no stranger to others being handled roughly, but this time she could control if she had to see it or not.
Calum came out the door with two more men this time, they seemed to be walking along on their own.