Chapter 1308
Elliot, Emmett, and Elijah all caught it-they glanced at Tarquin, brows furrowed, waiting for him to explain.
Tarquin was quiet for a few seconds before he finally spoke up.
“It was an animal carcass. A bit gory. I didn’t want you or Baby to get scared, so we kept you back p>
All three kids instantly widened their eyes-yeah, right!
Tarquin shot them a look: Let it go. White lie.
The trio pursed their lips and looked down, deciding not to call him out.
Elysia squinted at him, suspicious. “An animal carcass p>
“Yeah p>
“What kind of animal p>
“I couldn’t tell, honestly. Looked like it got attacked by something bigger, half- eaten. Bit of a mess p>
Elysia frowned. “So… are there other predators around? Is Evan in danger?” “He’s fine. White and Bernard’s apprentice are with him p>
“That’s true.” Elysia let out a sigh, buying the story. “Jeez, the way you guys acted, I thought you’d seen a freaking ghost or something p>
Baby piped up in her tiny voice, “Me too! I thought Daddy and my brothers saw a ghost! Spooky p>
Elysia pulled her close. “Don’t worry, honey. Nature’s tough. It’s normal for animals to get attacked out here p>
“Mommy, you don’t be scared either p>
“I’m not, sweetie. I mean, I’m a surgeon, remember? I’ve seen way worse than a dead animal. If I’d known it was just that, I wouldn’t have been so on edge p>
“Mommy, you’re amazing p>
Elysia grinned. “You’ll be even braver than me someday, Baby p>
While the mother and daughter chatted away, Tarquin and the boys listened quietly. Honestly, those two were the easiest to reassure in the whole family.
They walked on for a bit, then found a clean patch of ground to stop and wait for Evan and the others to catch up.
Elliot and Elijah kept sneaking glances at Tarquin, clearly itching to talk about what they’d really seen, but with Elysia nearby, they didn’t dare bring it up.
After a while, Evan showed up, flanked by the scar-faced old pro.
Tarquin and the boys looked him over, hoping for some sign of what really happened, but with Elysia
present, no one wanted to ask tonet
much Judging by Evan’s calm though, it couldn’t have been anything too terrible.
“Evan, you didn’t run into any wild animals, did you?” Elysia asked.
Tarquin answered first, “Your mom knows we found a half-eaten animal. She was just worried there might be more predators around, so she was worried about you guys p>
Evan caught on right away that Dad wasn’t telling the whole truth and jumped in, “We didn’t see anything else. Even if there were predators. Mom, you don’t have to worry about me! They’re more scared of me than
I am
of them p>
Elysia pursed her lips. “There’s all kinds of wild animals in the woods. Don’t get cocky. Be careful p>
“Okay, Mom, got it.” Evan flashed her a cheeky grin, trying to act casual.
Elysia let it go. Honestly, this little distraction took her mind off missing her parents.
The family kept moving, and as the sky darkened, they picked a spot to set up their tents for the night.
Just like before, they didn’t travel after dark, so the kids could get a decent rest. Later that night, after Baby fell asleep, Elysia turned to Tarquin.
“What did my parents say to you before we left?” she asked softly.
A strange look flickered in Tarquin’s eyes. They’d talked about a lot, but mostly it was words of advice.
He said, “They just want me to take care of you and the kids. They know you’ve been through so much already, and they don’t want you to ever go through that kind of pain again p>
Elysia let out a long breath.
“They don’t have much family left. Me and the kids are all they have now. I just wish they didn’t insist on staying out here in the woods. If only they’d come live with us-we could take care of them in their old age p>