Chapter 439 Chapter 439
Noah stared into the flames, it was oddly peaceful, almost hypnotizing, that something so dangerous appeared to be controlled. The irony of his thought wasn’t lost on him. He’d proven earlier that he was just as unpredictable as the fire.
Blaise’s team had been in and out with the four men and he’d noticed how everyone seemed more at ease after they were gone, then again it could have been from full bellies too. How long had it been since they ate a real meal? He’d dumped whatever the woman had been cooking, the smell made him nauseous.
Devin had flown in, and his helicopter was parked at the top of the hill where the girls had waited. The security that traveled with him was scattered around the perimeter of the camp and Noah was glad for it. He was too tired to stand watch. Not tired enough to sleep though, not in that cabin. He’d had to get out of there, it was like a sea of bodies on the floor and furniture. He hadn’t even managed to lie down and attempt it before the walls started to close in on him.
Calum was standing, leaning against one of the sheds talking on the phone. He kept smiling, so Noah knew Shaelan had to be on the other end of it. Devin was on the opposite side of the camp talking on his phone. It was hard to tell who he was talking to because his expression didn’t seem to change much, but if he had to ponder a guess, he’d say it was Rayne. She had wanted to come with him, but he’d made her stay behind and rest. Noah had overheard a brief conversation between Calum and Devin that she had just gone through her first cycle. Bad images flooded his brain anytime that word was used or implied.
Picking up the stick, he poked at the fire, making it spit sparks and grow angry. How sick was it that he felt a connection to a damn fire? It was ridiculous, but so were half the things he thought, so it wasn’t surprising.
Blair and Kobie came out of the trees, walking hand in hand and talking quietly. Noah blew out a breath, a twinge of jealousy going through him. What was it like to have that kind of connection, to not feel panic and terror when you were that close to someone? He’d never know that, and for the most part, he accepted it. Dropping his head down, he concentrated on breathing and staying calm. His cat had been on edge since they’d walked into this pathetic excuse of a camp, and he wasn’t going to settle until all of these people were out of here and somewhere safe. It was things like this that fueled his anger and resentment for the Tomas organization.
“You’re throwing some tense emotions around.”
He looked up to see Calum sitting down across from him.
“Couldn’t sleep?”
Noah shrugged, “too many bodies in there for me.”
Calum smirked, “it is a bit crowded.”
Noah didn’t want to talk about his issues with sleep. “How’s Shaelan?”
“In her happy place, reading, researching, testing,” he shook his head, “probably won’t sleep until I’m back and force her to stop.”
“She’s pretty amazing.” Noah offered.
“Yes, she is.” Calum watched Devin walk toward him. “Wonder if he came up with any answers.”
“Answers?” Noah tried to read Devin’s body language as he came their way, but all he could pick up on was irritation. Then again, the prince always seemed irritated with something.
“On where we’re taking these people.” Calum got up and picked up another piece of wood and tossed it into the fire. “Transport is on the way to get them out, we just need a direction to go.”
Noah bit his lip so he wouldn’t blurt out that he was accompanying them to wherever they were going. He’d at least figured out that his cat and conscience weren’t going to give him a moment of peace unless he saw with his own eyes that they were okay.
“Midnight meeting?” Devin stepped over the log and sat down.
“How’s our princess?” Calum asked him.
Devin rolled his eyes, “shopping for supplies, clothes, and every other possible thing.”
Noah glanced at the house, “she should add toys to the list.” Both men looked at him, he shrugged, “I went through the sheds, there’s not a single toy in them. Children should have toys.” Noah remembered the ones from the houses, there were never any toys.
Devin sighed, “I’ll let her know.”
Calum turned to watch Blair and Kobie come over. “Feel better?”
Blair gave him a blank look, “not really.” They sat down beside each other, Kobie leaning into him.
Noah didn’t know how he looked so calm when he knew from his earlier rant he wasn’t. If he weren’t waging his own furious battle inside, maybe he’d be able to pick up on his emotions and get a sense of how Blair was doing it, but all he could feel was his own anger bubbling just under the surface.
“You good?”
He turned to see Blair watching him and nodded. He was not going to lie to him.
“Okay, I’m just not up for any more beast of fury moments tonight.”
Noah smirked. “I think we’re safe just sitting here.” Again, another lie.
“Do you need to go for a run?” Kobie asked, all while giving him one of her assessing looks.
“No,” he sighed, “just worrying about them,” he motioned to the cabin.
“That brings me to the next part of this evening’s entertainment.” Devin said in a quiet tone, “I talked to dad.”
All eyes looked at him.
“He agrees we can’t send anymore to Blair’s, at least not with winter so close.”
Blair heaved a loud sigh.
“We can’t separate them,” Kobie said quickly.
“No, we agreed on that too.” Devin leaned on his knees and stared at the fire. “He has Ed and Bruce both trying to find a location, somewhere between them.” He looked at Blair, “are you claiming them as your clan or are we starting a third tiger clan in the province.”
Kobie leaned closer to Blair when he shook his head. “I don’t know,” rolled his head from side to side, “I mean they are my blood,” he looked at the cabin, “some of them, so I can’t just send them off on their own,” he looked back at Devin, “right?”
Devin nodded his head slowly, “I get that, so the men left,” he straightened up, “are any of them able to watch over the clan,” he glanced briefly at Noah, “as Bruce does for Ed?”
Blair lifted his hand and then dropped it, “I don’t know. All three of the adult men...”
“Weston, Arlo, and Harrison,” Kobie said softly.
“Right.” Blair exhaled, “I don’t sense a lot of strength in any of them.”
“They’re down right now.” Noah said before he could continue, “they’ve had to watch and accept what’s been happening all these years.” He looked from Blair to Devin, “they didn’t give in and help Lindon, but they stayed to try to watch over them.” He wasn’t sure what he was trying to say, just knew that he had to stand up for them.
“What about you?”
Noah frowned, “me?”
Devin nodded, “what about you staying with them and keeping things together, for the winter at least until we can figure out the land next to Blair’s.”