Chapter 698 Chapter 698
Deva looked back at the girls. They were huddled together, looking at her tablet. She didn’t know why it had taken her so long to think of it. After the novelty of looking out the window and seeing endless white snow, they had gotten restless, which in a way, was a good sign. It meant they may overcome what had happened to them eventually. She had movies downloaded onto it for those long waits during transports. The girls were fascinated by it. She was sure that Missy had never even seen a movie, and the other two were so into the movie the rest of the world stopped existing. They deserved a way to check out of their head and not have to think about the things they’d gone through.
“Map say it here somewhere.”
She turned back to look at where they were. “They probably pulled off the road. Go slow.” She sat straighter and looked for any indication that the snowbanks were lower.
“Deva. Is black cat.” Taggart’s voice was higher.
Deva turned to see a large black tiger running alongside them.
“There’s a white one on the other side.” Julia’s voice was so high-pitched Deva winced.
“I guess we found them.”
“That’s my uncle?” Missy was pressed up against the window looking at the black one.
“No. That’s Kobie, his mate.” Deva had heard all about her. The fact she beat Calum Dante in a tracking game meant everything to every female shifter out there.
“I no see black tiger ever.” Taggart sounded as excited as the girls. The cats ran past them and disappeared in front of their ride.
Deva pointed out the windshield. “That’s Noah.” He stood behind their SUV, leaning against it with his arms crossed over his chest. She turned and looked at the girls. “Put your jackets on.”
Noah straightened away and nodded at them when Taggart pulled up.
The girls scrambled out of the van so fast Deva was surprised none of them landed face-first in the snow. She got out and zipped up her jacket. She really hadn’t missed the snow and cold. A woman with long pale hair came around the SUV.
She smiled at the girls. “Is everyone okay?”
The girls nodded, excitement on their faces.
Missy looked around. “Where did my uncle go?”
Kobie glanced around. “He’s doing a quick check that no one followed.”
Taggart came around to the front of the van. “I no see black tiger ever.”
Kobie laughed. “I don’t blend in with the snow like Blair does.”
“Who care if you no blend? Is rare to be black tiger.” He patted his chest. “I am Taggart.” He looked at Deva. “This is my beauty, Deva.”
Kobie raised an eyebrow. “Hi. I’ve never met Deva, but we’ve heard each other enough on the comms.”
Deva motioned to the girls. “This is Jo, Julia, and Missy.”
“Your Uncle Harrison was busy helping Gage in the shop, so he didn’t come today.” Kobie looked at Noah, who stood there expressionless. “You’ll be staying over at Noah’s.”
Noah nodded once. “Hi, Missy.”
“Are you a black tiger too?” Missy looked around.
Noah shook his head. “No, just a normal orange one.” He grinned at Kobie’s look when he used the word normal.
Blair ran, slid down the snowbank, and stopped beside Kobie. Deva had never been up close to one of that clan. They were big. Kobie patted his head like he was a big dog and didn’t even look at him. “Go shift, I don’t want to sit here too long.”
Blair chuffed and then looked at Missy and walked slowly toward her. Deva looked to see her eyes were huge, but she was smiling. Before he reached her, he spun around and went to the front of the vehicle.
“Are you heading to the factory?” Kobie glanced from Taggart to Deva.
“Yeah.” Deva tucked her hands in her pockets. “Jo and Julia are going to be staying there with Fallan for the time being.”
Kobie nodded. “We’ll be heading there once we get everyone settled at home.” She smiled. “Some of the kids have never had a Christmas, so they’re really excited.”
“I excited for Christmas too.” Taggart’s expression darkened.
“Mmhmm, it’s going to be eventful.” She gave the girls a quick glance.
“It’s much warmer with fur.” Blair walked along the side of the SUV stopped beside Kobie, and put his arm around her.
“You could wear your jacket.”
Blair shrugged. “I’ll just have to take it off in two minutes when we head out.” He nodded to Jo and Julia and then looked at Missy and touched his head. “I see the white hair gene is strong.”
Missy nodded. “Do you know where my mom is?”
Blair stepped away from Kobie and walked over to her. He put his hand on her shoulder. “I don’t, but we’re going to do a little digging into some records and see if we can find out where she went.”
“My father took her. We can ask him.”
Blair looked over his shoulder at Noah for a second. Turning back, he rubbed his hand over his hair. “I’m afraid we can’t do that. Your father died.”
Deva watched Missy process that. She wasn’t sure what to expect.
Missy’s shoulders slumped. “Good. He was not a nice father.”
Blair nodded his head slowly. “No, he wasn’t.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “I, on the other hand, am the best uncle you could ever want, and you have four half-sisters waiting for you at home.” He looked at Kobie.
She nodded. “So far.”
Missy’s smile was slow. “Can I have a tablet with movies? Deva has one and let us watch them. I’ve never seen a movie before.”
Blair chuckled. “You will get your own laptop for school.” He looked at Noah. “We have tv’s and game systems…”
“I’ve never been to school. Will I learn how to read?”
Blair leaned down so they were face to face. “You will learn to read, count, and anything else you want to.”
“Blair.” Noah turned and looked in the other direction. “We should get going.”
Blair straightened up and looked at him. “There’s no one for miles.”
Noah nodded. “I know. We just shouldn’t stop for long.”
Blair sighed and then looked at Deva. “We’ll see you at the factory, I guess.”
“How long is drive to factory?” Taggart unzipped his jacket, took his phone out, and looked at it.
“The roads get a little messy the closer you get to it, but you should be there by late tonight if you don’t make any stops.” Blair motioned to the SUV. “Hop in, Missy.”
Missy looked at him and then at the other two girls. She launched herself at Julia and hugged her. Jo hugged both of them at the same time.
“We’ll see you again.” Jo nodded.
Missy nodded and then put her head down and walked quickly to the side of the vehicle.
“If you see a lot of animals the closer you get, it’s the rogues doing patrols,” Noah said quietly.
“The rogues?” Taggart looked from Noah to Blair. “The rogue work for Alliance now.”
Blair nodded. “They’re earning their place. They aren’t staying at the factory, but they patrol about fifty miles in every direction around it.
“Is good. More help makes this over for always sooner.” Taggart nodded.
Deva turned to Jo and Julia. “We should get going.” They both turned and got in the van without comment. She followed him.
Taggart nodded to them and then went and got back in the van. When he closed the door, he turned around and looked at the girls. “Fallan is good with communication.” He smiled. “She will make it so you can talk with Missy again.”
Deva smiled. It was sweet he was reassuring them. “I think we should stop and grab a burger the next place there’s a drive-thru, who’s with me.” The girls both nodded.
“Milka shake too,” Taggart said as he started the van and put it in gear.
“Yes.” Deva grinned. “A milka shake too.”