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Noah snorted. “That’s because you don’t know him.” Web was going to be bringing this up forever. Liam glared at Noah like he was the traitor, and Noah pointed at the bags against a tree. “Am I allowed to walk over there? Are you acting as translator?”

Pan nodded and spoke to Beard.

Noah left them to it.

He stalked over to the bags and grabbed Liam’s, hauling it over to a dry piece of ground to set it up.

“What’s going on?” Liam’s voice was little more than a whisper.

“Isn’t that clear? Noah’s made friends with the freaks while we’re prisoners,” Web spat.

Noah pulled the tent bag out of the backpack with more aggression than was needed. It really wasn’t that big, and it barely fitted two people, but it was all Liam had. He placed it on the ground and spoke without looking at his friends.

“We are all prisoners. They are waiting for the dragon to die to make a new tent.” He spread the pieces of the tent out. “I am showing them human tents in the hope of convincing them it’s better. All you had to do was sit tight and let Silas negotiate. Instead, you fucked us over.”

“He’s one of them. The only reason he gives a shit about you is because he’s feeding off you,” Web snarled.

“Like you didn’t want the same thing.” Noah pushed poles together, annoyance surging through his veins at the way Web had put them all in danger because he only cared about what he wanted.

“That is not a shining example of human tents,” Liam said.

“I’m aware. But since I know nothing about dragon skin tents, I’m assuming this is better.” He glanced at Liam. “Any ideas?”

“It has zips.”

Noah nodded. That was about all he had, too.

“And it’s lighter. Leather is heavy,” Liam added as if enjoying the idea of making up features.

“Is leather warmer?”

Liam shrugged. “No idea. But it has ventilation windows with mesh to keep out the bugs.”

“What happens if they don’t like the tent?” Web muttered, trying to hold the wet clothes off his skin.

Noah paused and glanced over. “Then we’re fucked. The dragon dies, her mate burns the city, and everything else, and the centaurs start a war with the survivors because they like fighting. So if you can think of any fancy tent features, please share.”

He finished sliding the poles into place and the tent snapped into position. Then he put the outer layer on and pushed the stakes into the ground. He stood and held out his hand as if he were a magician. “Behold the human tent.”

While he’d been occupied, he’d gathered an audience.

The gathered centaurs laughed.

Pan stepped closer. “They are saying it’s very small and making comparisons?—”

“Are they making dick jokes? They’re…” He drew in a breath and stopped himself from saying half horse. Because they weren’t really, nor were they half human. They just looked kind of human and kind of horse.

Pan gave a single nod.

Noah undid the window flap and folded it up. Then he undid the zip and crawled inside. How the fuck did he convince them it was better than a dragon skin tent?

He sat in the tent, knees drawn up to his chest. Meredith was right. This was a dangerous, foolhardy quest. He was going to die out here, not understanding a word anyone was saying.

Pan stuck his head in. “It would help if I could tell them how big other tents are.”

Noah swiped at his cheek.Right. Now was not the time to have a breakdown.

Pan got into the tent and kneeled in the entrance. “Please don’t fall apart, as I don’t know how to put you back together and I need you.”