Chapter 32
Puff and Paris were looking for Tobin and the triplets. They ran into Demi and Brook in the kitchen.
“Hi, Demi, Brook,” Puff greeted.
“Hello, Puff, Paris.” Demi and Brook said together.
“Actually, it’s good we ran into you both,” Paris said.
“What’s up?” Brook asked.
“It’s about Tobin,” Paris started.
“Tobin?” Brook asked, looking alarmed and distressed, taking Demi’s hand. “Would you rather we hadn’t claimed him?”
“We promise to always look after and love him,” Demi put in.
“No, no,” Puff said quickly, holding his hand out. “We’d never take Tobin from you. He loves you all already.”
Brook and Demi relaxed.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to alarm you,” Paris said. “No, it was about Tobin’s family and house. About his family having a proper burial and if he wanted any of his items from home.”
“Oh, we should definitely ask him,” Demi replied. “What of the other children?”
“I know Baylan and Alex have collected Maddy’s things and are going to sort the house out. Ares and Jason have done the same with Kieran,” Puff told them. “I’m off to talk to the triplets about collecting their things.”
“I’m not sure about Nancy’s things as they live in the Hayes Pack,” Paris said.
“I’ll talk to Blake about Nancy’s belongings,” Demi said.
“Okay. We’ll leave you to talk to Tobin, and we’ll talk to the triplets,” Paris said.
“They are or were outside, sitting in the lower garden,” Brook told them.
“Thanks.”
Blake and Baylan found Saxon, his mates and Peyton, who had recently joined them, outside by the holiday cottages.
Tatum was laughing, but the others were frowning.
“I’m not sure if I should ask if you’re having fun or not,” Blake said by way of a greeting.
“Well, I’m having fun,” Tatum said, still laughing.
“Shadow hunting going well then?” Baylan asked.
“Not really, our magic can’t find a shadow,” Peyton replied.
“I even made it easy for them. My shadow is right there,” Tatum said, pointing to a wall.
Blake and Baylan turned to look; the whole side was draped in shadows.
“I just see normal shadows,” Baylan said.
“So do we,” Wynter said.
Blake took a step forward. “No, there is part of your shadow.” He pointed out a section of the wall.
“Congratulations, Blake,” Tudor said.
“That was well found,” Henry said, appearing next to Tatum. “I found it just when you did.”
“I can see it now you’ve pointed it out,” Peyton said, amazed. “But how did you both find it?”
“It has a slight shimmer,” Blake said, just as Henry said, “It shimmers.”
Wynter walked closer and looked, shaking his head. “Nope, can’t see it.”
“Blake, Henry, do you have time to help us?” Saxon asked.
“I can,” Henry replied happily.
“I can help for an hour or so,” Blake added.
“I need to catch up on some work, so will see you all later,” Baylan said, pulling Blake into a quick kiss. He pulled back. “Have fun, all of you.”
“We will,” Henry said.
“Saxon, now that we pointed out Tatum’s shadow, can your magic record what it looks like? Is that even a thing?” Henry asked.
“No idea, Henry, but we can find out. If it can, then I should be able to tweak the magic to find Barnabus’ shadow.”
Henry floated to Tatum’s shadow. “It’s here.”
“Let me give it a go.”
“Tatum, while Saxon is doing that. Who asked you to release Barnabus from Tartarus?”
“I don’t know,” the demon said. “Someone sent me a message asking me to meet them in the park. I went, but whoever it was stayed hidden by a group of trees and I think a cloak. They asked me to release Barnabus, and they would pay me for it.”
“Didn’t you think that was strange?” Wynter asked him.
Tatum shook his head. “Not really. I have a bit of a chequered past.”
“Because of the whole being able to get in and out of anywhere?” Blake asked, with no judgement in his voice.
“Yeah. Demons would hire me to retrieve things, and would pay me, usually in cash. I didn’t always know who hired me,” Tatum paused. “I promise I’ve not stolen anything since I left the underworld.”
Blake put his hand on Tatum’s arm. “I never thought you would.”
Wynter pulled Tatum into a hug; Saxon joined them.
Henry walked over. “We can become a crime team, Tatum,” he said, grinning. “We can both pop in and out of places. We’ll be rich.”
Tatum laughed.
“Maybe not, Henry,” Blake said, shaking his head at him.
“Oh, I’ve just had a thought,” Tatum said. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner.”
“Think of what, sweetheart?” Saxon asked.
“Me sending my shadow to spy on Barnabus.” He felt his mates stiffen.
“Thank you for the offer, Tatum, but we have bugs all over the pack house and grounds.”
Saxon and Wynter relaxed.
“Okay, just know the offer is there.”
“So, what do you think?” Puff asked the triplets.
“It would be nice to have more of our things here. It will make it feel more like home,” Able said in reply.
“Our dad changed his will the day after Mum’s funeral. He left everything to the three of us, and asked that you, King Puff, help us sort his estate out. He left you a letter with his will. I have it upstairs,” Eddy said.
“First off, call me Puff. Secondly, I’ll help you anyway I can. I’ve never sorted an estate,” he looked at his uncle. “Can you help me?”
Paris nodded. “I can indeed. Do you want us to pop to yours now?”
“I need to wait for Mateo to finish training first, but as soon as he’s finished, we can go. Unless you three and Uncle Paris go now, and we can join you later,” Puff suggested.
“We can do that,” Paris said. “Is that okay with the three of you?”
Cyril looked at his brothers. “Yeah, that’s fine.”
“Then let us away,” Paris said, and using dragon magic, the four of them disappeared.
Puff sighed, feeling a wealth of emotions, the main one sadness. He thought being kicked out of his family and living on the streets was emotional, but watching the triplets, indeed all the other children, deal with the loss of their families broke his heart.
Suddenly Atticus was by his side, kneeling next to him and wrapping his arms around him. “I’ve got you,” he said softly, kissing the side of Puff’s head.
Puff leant into his side. “Sorry, I was just having a moment.”
“You’re allowed to have moments. Do you want to tell me why, or would you rather not?”
Puff explained about the triplets, and then the other children.
“I agree it is heartbreaking, all we can do now is to be there to help them however we can.”
Puff turned his head and looked at Atticus. “Thank you for coming. Now kiss me,” he said boldly.
A smile bloomed over Atticus’ face. “Yes, my king,” he said, pulling Puff closer and kissing him.
Puff wrapped an arm around Atticus and happily kissed him back.
“Now this is the best sight to come upon,” they heard Mateo say.
Slowly they pulled back, turned and smiled at him.
Mateo dropped to his knees in front of them, a hand on each. “I got here as quickly as I could. Watching you two together, just wow.”
“I always think that when I see the two of you together,“ Puff said.
“The same when I’m watching you two,” Atticus agreed.
“I can tell Atticus has cheered you up already,” Mateo said softly. His hand went to Puff’s cheek.
“Well,” Puff said boldly again, “He started to cheer me up, pretty sure you can fix this final bit.”
Mateo grinned. “I can certainly do that.” With that, he pulled Puff into his arms and kissed him.
Puff wrapped an arm around Mateo and held his other hand out to Atticus, who took it and kissed the back.
Slowly they pulled back. “Yep, totally better now,” Puff said.
“Glad we could help,” Mateo said.
“You two always help. Thank you for being my mates,” he said, looking at them both.
“Just as we are lucky to have you,” Atticus said.
“Puff, why were you upset earlier?” Mateo asked.
Puff told him about the triplets.
“Yeah, that would do it. How about we go and help them now? Atticus, can you come?”
Atticus grimaced.
“What’s wrong?” Puff asked, sitting forward.
“I couldn’t get hold of my brother, any of my brothers or my parents. Their dragons have also gone silent.”
Mateo and Puff burst out laughing.
“So… they are coming to rescue you?” Mateo asked.
“I honestly don’t know, or why none of them are talking.”
Bob chuckled in Puff’s head.
Do you know something? Puff asked.
Just wait and see.
“Atticus, how many members are in your clutch?” Puff asked.
“Nearly a hundred.”
“How long would it take them to fly here?” Mateo asked.
“About five hours, give or take.”
We have a flight of dragons approaching. Bob suddenly said.
“Crap,” Atticus commented.
Blake, we have dragons approaching. It could be Atticus’ family coming to rescue him. Puff said through the pack link.
I heard. Come to the lower garden and look up. Blake replied.
The three of them stood up and walked to the lower garden.
“Wow,” Puff said, watching dragons flying towards the manor.
“I’m pretty sure my family just outed dragons,” Atticus said with a frown.
I hid them. Bob said. Only those on this estate can see them.
Atticus sighed in relief. Thank you, Bob.
“That’s an impressive sight,” Blake said, walking over to join them. “I mean, I’ve seen dragons flying around this estate, but watching them is incredible. I’m glad it’s cloudy today.”
“I apologise, Blake; my family are apparently coming to rescue me. Thankfully, not all the clan has come. Just my immediate family.”
Blake laughed. “This should be interesting then.”
“Thankfully, Bob shielded them. Only those here can see them.”
“I always find a flight of dragons truly impressive,” Zeus said, appearing next to them, watching the dragons get closer.
The dragons slowed down, and one by one landed, shifting quickly as they did.
A young man stomped forward. “What the hell, Atticus?” he demanded.