Chapter 557 Chapter 557
Griffin walked quietly into the kitchen and looked out the window. He hadn’t been able to sleep and if he moved around much more in there, he was going to wake the others. He had so much going through his head he couldn’t turn it off.
Movement from the darkened room caught his attention. It was Noah. He had his boots in his hands and was moving quickly toward the door. The look on his face told Griffin that he was running from a nightmare. He knew the ones that haunted his friend and if there was anything he could have done to help him, he would have.
“He’ll be all right.”
The soft words from behind him startled him. He turned to see the prince standing in the far corner of the kitchen. “None of us are sleeping much lately.” He held up a cup and motioned to the coffee maker on the counter.
Griffin nodded.
The prince got a cup out of the cupboard, set it beside the machine, and then moved by him to close the kitchen door. “I’ve been going over your notes.”
Going over, Griffin picked up the cup and poured some of the hot liquid into it. When he turned around, the other man was sitting at the table with the maps and notes he’d written in front of him.
“If only half of this is accurate, it’s so much more than we’ve had this far.”
Griffin slipped into the chair across from him, “Prince…”
He looked up at him, “Devin.”
“Devin, I just want to stop what’s been happening.”
“We’re on the same page there.” He sat back and blew out a breath, “I was—off the grid for a few years and had no idea how bad this was.” He shrugged a shoulder, “that’s on me for not doing something sooner…”
“I doubt you alone could have stopped it.” Griffin leaned on the table, “they’ve had help for more years than we’ve been alive.”
Devin studied him for a moment, “it’s going to be rough, for you especially.” He glanced out the window for a moment, “Aiden Tomas isn’t going to stop looking for you. Ever.”
“He can’t when he’s dead.”
The prince smirked, “that was my thought too.”
“I’m glad Rayne got away from him and has you now.”
The other man’s pale eyes locked on Griffin’s face and he was barely able to breath under the scrutiny. “She said I was to be nice to you,” he rolled his eyes, “that your parentage wasn’t your fault.”
Griffin didn’t know if there was anything he could say to that, so he picked up the cup and took a small sip.
“I agree with her.” Leaning forward, Devin flipped the page on the notepad, “this list,” he nodded, “we never would have looked in any of these places.” He looked up at him. “Thank you.”
He was more than shocked that the prince of all the shifters was thanking him. “I just—want it stopped.”
“Well, it’s going to happen much faster now.”
“Your people respect you.” He blurted it out. “Aiden’s fear him.”
Devin held his look.
“What I mean is it’s going to be easier to shut it all down because they’re doing it out of fear. If they’re given an out, most will take it.”
He watched the other man pick up his cup and take a sip before he spoke. “I hope you’re right but doing it out of fear doesn’t excuse them.”
“No. I know it doesn’t.” He studied the liquid in his cup for a moment, “I can’t think of anyone—that I know of that’s been helping that deserves a full pardon.”
“Even yourself.”
Griffin took a deep breath, “I’ve done things I’m not proud of.”
“We’re they your choice?”
He shook his head, “no, well, I could have chosen to die instead or worse.” He knew he didn’t have to explain what was worse than death.
“Noah. Rayne and Blaise all vouch for you, so that’s good enough for dad and me.”
Griffin knew Noah did, but he had no idea that Rayne and Blaise had. “I won’t let any of you down.”
Before he could say anything else, Noah came into the kitchen. The haunted look was still in his eyes.
“You call Emersyn?”
Noah nodded and then went and got a cup out of the cupboard.
Devin gathered up the items on the table and put them in a pile. “I don’t even know how I breathed before Rayne.” He pulled his phone out. “I’m going to go call her just to hear her mumble to me about coffee.” He grinned and went to the door.
Noah stiffened.
“Relax, I’ll stand on the doorstep.”
Noah nodded, “or you could kick Blair and make him stand outside with you.”
Devin grinned, “that’s an idea.” He left the room.
Noah looked Griffin up and down, “are you okay?”
Griffin blew out a breath, “just dandy. It’s a little hard to sleep when I know there are hundreds of bodies out there hoping to get the kill shot on me.”
“We won’t let that happen.” Instead of sitting down, he picked up his cup and leaned back against the counter.
The door opened, and Blair stuck his head in, “I’ll get even.” He sent Noah a hard look.
Noah shrugged and then sipped his coffee.
Griffin watched him for a moment, “you’ve settled well.”
Noah snorted softly, “as much as I think I ever will.”
Blaise came in. Griffin noted her hair was a mess, and she wasn’t adorned in weapons. “Oh good, you’re with him. I’m going for a run; check the perimeter.”
Noah nodded. “Blair is out there with Devin.”
She looked out the window. “I guess we’re all on edge.” She glanced at Griffin, “are you all right?”
Griffin nodded, “yes, I never sleep well.”
“With a lunatic controlling your life, that’s understandable.” She turned on her heel and went back out the door.
Griffin stared at the door.
“I’m glad there’s someone for you too.”
Turning he looked back at him, “not that I have the first clue what to do about it.”
Noah smiled, “I feel that. I’m still figuring it out.”
Griffin’s gaze went to the mark on his neck, “you’re miles ahead of me.”
“Today.” Noah toasted him with the cup and then went over and looked out the window.
Griffin looked down at his cup like that coffee was going to give him the answers. He doubted anyone had the answers he needed. He was a prisoner. Had been his whole life, the only difference was the ones responsible for him now weren’t cruel and demented. “I’m going to try sleep again.” He stood up and watched Noah for a response. He barely moved his head. Setting the cup in the sink, he went back out to the main area.