The Kitten Has Claws

The Kitten Has Claws [Chapter 18]

This book is available for purchase on amazon.com as an ebook.

Chapter 18

Raine was feeling apoplectic and he knew he was making his men agitated with all his frantic pacing. After checking on the women, and promising Noelle a long lecture on safety, he had gathered all the men in his office. They needed to discuss Clover, Basil and Violet and then decide on who was going with him to finally talk to the Elders.

"As you have no doubt seen or heard, we have two new additions to our mismatched family. Considering that Violet is a pixie I'm assuming her sister, Clover, is too. It's most likely that Basil is a pixie too."

The men muttered to themselves, no doubt trying to understand why any of this was relevant to visiting the Elders. They were just as frustrated with their ignorance as Raine was.

"This time, we 'will' be visiting the Elders, regardless of any obstacles along the way. I am sick and tired of being in the dark, and I know that all of you want answers too."

"Not me," Jed piped in annoyingly. Raine growled menacingly at him and Jed raised his hands in mock defense, "Hey, hey, no need to get all pissy on me. I was just making sure you remembered I was here."

"How could we forget?" Fletcher groaned.

"You know," Paxton growled, "you could make this easier for all of us and just tell us who the damn Vessel is. Then I won't have to kill you."

Jed laughed softly and shook his head, "I wish I could help, really I do, but unfortunately I can't. Good ole Kristoff would have my head faster than you can say Vessel."

"Moving on," Raine snarled. How he would love to introduce Jed's face to his fist. Not now though. Maybe later. Maybe. First things first, though. "Who wants to go with me to visit the Elders? I only need three of you. But it's going to be a tough journey." He cringed inwardly when he saw the looks on his men's faces. They wanted to help, but he also knew that they would rather stay here. With their women.

"I'm staying," Finn said quickly.

"Me too," Ryder said, aiming for a casual tone.

"For Christ's sake," Paxton muttered, aiming a glare at Ryder, "he asked who wants to go, not who wants to stay." Ryder blatantly ignored him, choosing instead to inspect the couch cushion. Paxton heaved a sigh, "I'm in, Raine." Whatever. He would go and help figure out this whole Vessel mess. He could give a rat's ass if Ryder stayed behind and got some extra time with Ingrid. Shit, who was he kidding? He was livid, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"Thank you Paxton," Raine said heavily, "anyone else?"

"I'll go," Theo said defiantly, daring anyone to challenge him and say that he wasn't strong enough. Raine nodded his assent and looked at his men, demanding at least one more to volunteer before he had to pick. It wasn't like it was a life or death situation.

"We're in," Dmitri spoke up, pointing at himself and Eamon who nodded.

"Good," Raine said, secretly relieved. With Eamon, Dmitri and Paxton it wouldn't matter that Theo wasn't at his best. He did a mental catalogue of everything they needed and realized that they could leave now if they needed to. In fact, now would probably be the best time since the Hunters just made their attack. It would be at least a day or two before another wave of them came.

"Take care of what you need to," he announced, "We're leaving within the hour." With that, he left the office, heading straight for Noelle. The rest of the men dispersed, no doubt taking care of last minute things before they left or simply attending to personal matters. But he didn't care; he had a few things to say to Noelle, involving making smart decisions regarding her safety.