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I sigh, trying to decide, putting my priorities in order.

Fifteen minutes later, Cole and I walk across the camp together. I raise my chin, in complete denial, telling myself thatabsolutelyno one is noticing the fact that the pair of black trousers I’m wearing are rolled up about six times at the hem and gathered tight at my natural waist by a big black belt that had to have an extra hole added to it.

Shayne bursts my bubble in about eight seconds, gasping and dashing over to me. “Oh mygod,” she whispers, falling into pace by my side. “Tellme it’s because he ripped your clothes to shreds -”

“Shay,” I sigh, giving her a shove, shivering a little in the afternoon air – I’ve only got my tank top on, the addition of one of Cole’s shirts was just too ridiculous. “I was covered in blood!”

“You look so cuuuute,” she coos, looking me up and down as we reach my dad’s command tent.

“Quick, give me your hoodie,” I say, holding my hand out to her.

Shayne sighs and rolls her eyes, unzipping the pink hoodie that I know is her favorite and handing it over to me, smirking at Cole as she does. “I’d be happier about this ifyouwere the one ordering me to strip, Cole.”

“Maybe next time,” he murmurs, grinning at Shay as she slips the hoodie off and holds it out for me to pull on. I laugh at her as I zip it up.

“You’re the best, Shay-shay.”

“I demand that you tell me everything as rental payment for my clothing!” she calls as Cole holds open the flap of the tent.

“Nothing to tell!” I call back, laughing and waving to her, slipping my wooden wolf from my pants pocket to one of the pink pockets as I go.

But my smile falls away as I step into the tent and see the serious faces ahead of me – dad, and Rose, and Captain Stanzor. I carefully rearrange my features as reality smacks me in the face – that we’re still in a very serious situation.

And it’s time to get some updates.

“Nadia, Cole,” dad says, nodding to us and turning to the computer, pressing the button to start the call. “Good of you to come.”

I nod back to him as Cole and I step closer. But even as I focus on the computer screen, I can feel Rose’s glare boring through me like hot iron.

Chapter 49 – Call

Nadia

I ignore Rose’s glare, crossing my arms over my chest and waiting for the video chat to begin. As the screen shifts, I lean forward to look at the image of the five of us, grimacing when I see that my hair is…insane.

I scowl and hastily try to fix it, tucking strands behind my ears and straightening my messy bun. I’m talking to the damnKing, for heaven’s sake, and this is how I show up?

The image changes to display Ethan Kincaid sitting in his posh office, and I stand up straight. I glance at Cole, the smirk on his lips confirming what I already know. He thinks me coming to this meeting with bedhead isfunny.

I scowl and turn back to the screen.

“Good afternoon,” the King says, looking us over quite seriously. His gaze lingers longest on his son, which I suppose is to be expected, before Ethan Kincaid turns his eyes to Stanzor and dad. “Report?”

Both dad and Stanzor speak briefly. I listen carefully as they lay out the details of what happened last night. We saw a very large number of patients, apparently – more than I thought. I exhale with relief when I hear that there were no casualties amongst those who made it to us – everyone who needed to get to a hospital did.

“We have a limited number of patients left, all from the military,” dad says, his voice low and steady. “All patients from the Children of Solace have been sent on to face their next steps, whatever those are. If you consent to it, I’ll keep the ones who are still here in place while they recuperate and wait for their next orders. Two or three days of rest should see them all on their feet.”

“That’s all good,” the King says, looking down at some paperwork on his desk. “We’ll double-check the figures, but preliminarily, that sounds fine.”

“Good,” dad says, his voice snappier than I thought it would be. I look up at him, confused, but he doesn’t look at me.

“Ms. Lind?” the King says, turning his attention to Rose. “Any updates on your investigation?”

“Nothing to report yet,” Rose says, leaning forward towards the King. “I’ve got lots of cameras going in the desert, but, as you’d expect, that just means I’ve got a lot more footage to sort through. I should have a preliminary report this evening.”

My eyebrows rise when I realize that this means she’s been looking in the desert for the children, my heart rate rising at the news. I mean, I admit that I’m not much of a Rose fan aftereverything, but if we can find a way to help the kids from the Children of Solace, I’m glad she’s working on it.

“All right, please send it along when you have it done,” the King murmurs, clearly distracted, looking down at the paperwork. “And inform General Amir, Captain Kincaid, and Captain Stanzor of your discoveries when you get them.”