The Dealers

Chapter 33 - Lena

Watching the scenery pass by the window in a blur as Noah sped through unfamiliar roads, I began to get used to how fast he drove. Relaxing into the hum of the car and trusting in the fact that he was the most skillful driver I knew, I rested my head back against the leather headrest.

It had been nearly four hours in the car with Noah and I was grateful that we were able to sit in the silence without it getting awkward. Noah had satellite radio so we switched between music we mutually liked and various talk-radio. It helped pass the time. We also stopped for lunch an hour or so into the drive but ate as quickly as we could.

I knew deep down that going with Noah to New Hampshire was reckless but, I was taking the chance in order to get out of town. Azrael showing up the night before spooked me more than I wanted to admit and as much as I tried to plaster on my usual can-do attitude, I was struggling inside. Being with Noah was safer and I was grateful that he thought to take me with him.

It surprised me that I had mostly come to terms with Noah's secret and the world of reapers and dealers that he opened up to me. It was crazy but I'd seen too much and experienced too much not to believe.

So what would happen once we got back to Cedar Falls? I drifted off in thought as we turned off the interstate and began navigating backroads based on Noah's GPS.

Noah couldn't be with me all the time and I had to live my life somehow. I couldn't be constantly worried that Azrael would just pop up. In the time I had to cope with things, I realized that Azrael most likely wouldn't hurt me, but he liked messing with me.

I didn't like the uncertainty of everything.

"We're getting close." Noah noted as he looked at his watch.

It was just after four p.m and we were heading to some tavern.

"Harper's is a motel with a tavern next door." Noah explained as he drove. "We stayed there once before a few years ago on a different assignment."

"Sounds nice..." I said as my voice trailed off.

During the drive, I couldn't help but wonder what the so called assignment would be. I had heard about reaping in theory but nothing of great detail. Heading to New Hampshire for Noah's job, I was actually tagging along. What should I expect? Would I be traumatized afterward?

I didn't want to bother Noah with those trivial questions because for one, I knew he wouldn't put my in harms way and two, he had enough on his mind.

But, Harper's was not as nice of a place as I suggested. It was trashy to say the least. Pulling up to the motel, I could see that it was newly renovated—thank goodness—but, was still two star at best. Getting out of the car and stretching the ache from my legs after being in the seat for so long, Noah grabbed our bags and we headed in to the front desk.

I could see—and hear—the tavern next door as loud music radiated from the building. Questionable people spilled out of the wooden doors and it looked more like a biker bar than tavern to me.

"Let's drop off our bags and we can find my brothers." Eli suggested and I followed him to the second floor motel room once he checked in.

Noah's brothers.

I was about to meet his family. While I didn't have a lot of family for Noah to meet in return, nor would I want him to meet anyone I was related to by blood, I was about to meet his brother's. I briefly met them at the club but, things had changed drastically since then.

I know their secret.

"Don't be nervous about those two." Noah laughed as he slid the keycard into the hotel room door and we walked into a decent sized room that smelled of fresh paint. "They can be assholes but, thats about it."