She finally pulls back, appraising me with a half-humored, half-pitiful look. I can’t remember the last time we cried like this to each other, and I imagine she’s thinking the same thing.
“I hope you get to see a lot of cool animals while you’re there, at least,” she huffs in a shaky breath, wiping the tears off her face. “You better take tons of pictures for me. And remember: don’t get abducted, don’t get dysentery, and don’t bring back the next Ebola virus.”
The partial smile on my face fractures before falling.
I need to give her a warning as well. I wasn’t planning on it. I’m not even sure what to say. But if I don’t try, and the world goes to shit while I’m away, and something bad were to happen to them… I don’t think I could live with myself.
Maybe I can’t risk scaring my dad with a veiled warning, but my fierce, fearless best friend? Jacklynn Ellis? She can be vigilant enough for both of them.
I grab her clammy hands, making sure her back is blocking me from my dad’s view, and drop my voice to the quietest whisper I can make. “I need you to stay safe for me, Jackie. Do whatever it takes. If something feels off, don’t just walk away.Run.And if it comes down to it, only as a last resort, you fight. Raise Hell if you have to.”
Her dark eyebrows pull together in a mixture of concern, confusion, and dismay. “Kae?—”
“Promise me,” I press. I hate that I have to seem so paranoid, but with any luck, she’ll think of me if she gets herself into a suspicious, potentially perilous situation. It has to be enough.
After another moment of hesitation, she nods. “Yeah, I promise. Of course.”
I can tell she’s sparing me a lecture on how she can take care of herself, and I appreciate it. With one more quick hug, I release her, finding some last shred of willpower to back away.
Taking one long, final look at the sight of my little family, I will myself to remember this moment like a photograph.
“I should go to TSA now.” Though my voice is uneven and I’m barely holding myself together, I still force myself to smile. Thiscannotbe the last time I see them. They will survive, and I’ll do everything in my power to make it back to them. “This isn’t a goodbye, but a ‘see you later.’ Agreed?”
They nod, whispering some final goodbyes.
Just before I step onto the escalator, another tear slips down my cheek. “I love you two so,somuch. Be safe.”
I don’t say much when I find Dusk waiting for me just past security.He chatters some at first, clearly trying to cheer me up, but I barely respond. Graciously, he catches on and remains mostly quiet for the rest of the walk to our terminal.
Or… not a terminal?
The place Dusk leads me to is a separate part of the airport I’ve never been to before, blocked by airport security staff who check our IDs instead of asking for a boarding pass.
I realize then that we’re entering a hangar exclusive to private jets.
If nothing else, the absurdity is a welcome distraction. Truly, I never thought I’d experience a luxury like this. The jet we’re escorted to is marvelous, stunning, for the richest of the rich—notme. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve even been on a regular plane.
I am a fish out of water here.
As we enter the cabin, an on-board attendant greets us in a voice of warmth and formality, holding out a tray of champagne glasses. “Welcome, Miss Lambros and Sir Angelus.”
I almost drop the glass.
That’sthe last name he uses?Seriously?
I hide my shock from the attendant by glancing over my shoulder at Dusk, who is too busy flashing the woman a charming smile to acknowledge my reaction.
“Thank you, Dena,” he hums.
“It’s my pleasure.” Her voice, posture, and everything else about her exude elegance, as if old-school manners were ingrained in her from birth. “Please, make yourself comfortable, and I will be with you shortly.”
She quickly leaves us to our privacy, giving us free rein of the whole cabin.
I choose to settle into one of the white leather recliners, one half of a duet separated by a glossy cherrywood table. As expected, Dusk eases into the one opposite me. Warm, ambient lighting traces across his face, casting dramatic shadows around his sharp features.
I raise an eyebrow, mock-surveying him. “You really couldn’t come up with anything better than Angelus?”
“I told you, I’m the Messenger Angel.”
