Page 54 of Whispered Warnings: Part One

“Wouldn’t it make more sense for us to do something like clear out the garages?” he suggests.

“Well, it would still be weird,” Doc replies, “but it would make more sense than cleaning the cars in the middle of fucking winter.”

Laughter echoes through the room.

“So, new plan then?” I ask, unable to stop the amusement from leaking into my voice.

“It still doesn’t make much sense, but sure, we’ll clear out the garages instead.” Evander agrees.

“To be honest, they do need doing anyway,” Griff replies, wincing slightly.

“Apart from Raiden’s, he always keeps his spotless,” River adds, pulling a face and looking slightly envious.

“Wait, so our fake task that we were just going to do so that we can see Neith on a bike has turned into an actual task of clearing out our garages?” Doc asks.

“Yeah,” Evander nods with a frown.

River points at Doc, “To be fair, it’s your own fault that you’re involved in the garage clearing out.”

“He’s right,” Griff agrees, “you’ve only just fully moved in, but you’ve had your garage of vehicles and stuff here since we moved in.”

Doc crosses his arms over his chest and smirks, “Hey, you guys offered. Who am I to turn down a super secure garage that is easily accessible to me and big enough for all of my toys.”

“Fair point,” River replies.

“It does mean that you have to help now though,” I grin.

Doc nods, “Yeah, but it will be worth it to see Neith on a bike, Raiden’s bike.”

“Does anyone else find it interesting that Neith has managed to slip past all of Raiden’s defenses in a shorter amount of time than even we were able to do?” Evander asks, glancing up from his screen once again and looking at all of us.

I shake my head, “If you had asked me on day one, I would have said that I was surprised by how quickly she has managed it but after knowing her for a few days, I am entirely unsurprised, there’s just something about Neith.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Ransom replies. “I think the surprises and changes are only just beginning when it comes to Neith.”

“Definitely,” Doc agrees, “there is a lot that we don’t know about her and her life, and she reacts as someone would who had been through a significant amount of trauma.”

A rumble builds in my chest. I can’t help it, and I’m not the only one who is making their displeasure at Doc’s words known.

Chapter Eighteen

Reed

I hate that she has been through things that have hurt her and that have affected her enough to give her trauma responses, but there is no denying it. The way that she reacted to the news of the Choosing wasn’t because of the Choosing itself, but rather being forced into a situation that she didn’t have any control over. We are all aware of that, we all have been through shit which means that we can easily recognize the trauma responses in others.

“At least we know how to help her,” River says quietly.

I nod, along with the others, although there is still a tension in the air.

“She’s with us now, and she’s safe,” Griff says firmly, looking around at us all he adds, “We will make fucking sure of it.”

“Agreed,” we all reply.

His words soothe that swirling pit of unease that was growing in my stomach. She has us now, and there isn’t much that we can handle.

I have no doubt that we would all put her before ourselves, I have no idea how she has gotten us all wrapped around her little finger, but there is no fucking denying it. We would fight for her, and beside her.

“Let’s get the reports done,” Griff says in his gruff manner that leaves no room for arguments.

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