Page 97 of The Hunter's Empire

"I'm tired."

Neither of them rushes to fill the silence that follows, and somehow that feels more comforting than any reassurance could.

"But I'm looking forward to this." I admit after a moment. "I really am."

As I watch the afternoon sun paint the ocean in shades of gold, I realize it's the truth.

A polite knock sounds at the cabin door, pulling my attention away. I glance up just as Moni steps inside with a silver tray balanced carefully in her hands. A champagne flute rests at its center, the pale gold liquid catching the sunlight .

"Miss Zora," she says with a gentle smile, "I brought you a glass of champagne. I thought you might like something to drink."

A smile tugs at my lips. "That is perfect. Thank you, Moni. You always know exactly what I need."

"I do my best." Her smile widens slightly before she hands me the glass.

The phone remains tucked against my ear while Aurelia continues talking about the wedding. She's currently debating flowers, or seating charts, or something equally important in bride language.

I stopped trying to keep track several minutes ago, though I still listen enough to respond every now and then. Hearing her voice is comforting.

"I still think the white roses looked better." Aurelia says.

"You've changed your mind six times already."

"It was four."

I laugh softly and shake my head at whatever Aurelia says next. Her voice continues through the phone as I lean back into the leather seat and glance out the window.

I lift the champagne to my lips. But before I can take a sip, the aircraft suddenly jolts. The movement isn't severe enough to concern me. I've spent enough time flying to know that occasional turbulence is unavoidable, especially over long stretches of ocean.

The champagne ripples inside the glass and a few drops spill over the rim onto my fingers, drawing a quiet curse from me as I set the glass down before I make a bigger mess.

Moni steadies herself against the nearest seat and offers a reassuring smile. "It happens all the time, Miss Zora. Nothing to worry about."

I nod automatically and wipe a drop of champagne from my hand. Normally, I wouldn't think twice about turbulence. But for some reason, though, I find myself glancing toward the window. The sky outside is perfectly clear, uninterrupted by storm clouds or rough weather, and while I know turbulence doesn't always require visible storms, the sight still leaves me faintly unsettled.

I can't explain why. Maybe it's the abruptness of the jolt. Maybe it's simply one of those irrational feelings that appear out of nowhere and refuse to leave. Whatever the reason, the unease settles quietly in my stomach as Aurelia continues talking in my ear.

I try to focus on the conversation, but my attention keeps drifting back to the horizon. The discomfort grows stronger with every passing second until a second impact suddenly tears through the aircraft. This one is far more violent than the first.

My gaze is locked on the window. For a moment, I genuinely think I'm seeing things. The image refuses to make sense because there is no logical explanation for it.

Then reality settles in with terrifying clarity. The wing is on fire. Bright orange flames crawl along the metal, stark against the cloudless blue sky.

A cold wave of dread spreads through my chest as every survival instinct I possess begins screaming that something is terribly wrong.

"Moni." My voice is sharper than I intend.

She turns immediately, and when I point toward the window, her eyes follow the gesture. The moment she sees the flames, every trace of professionalism disappears from her expression.

"Tell the pilots." I say, already rising from my seat. "Right now."

Fear flashes across Moni's expression, but she doesn't hesitate. She immediately turns toward the cockpit, moving with the same efficiency she had shown throughout the flight. She only manages a few steps before a loud crack rips through the cabin.

The sound is so sudden and unexpected that my brain initially fails to understand what I've heard. For a fraction of a second, everything seems to slow. Moni's body jerks violently, the tray slipping from her hands as her momentum abruptly stops. She remains standing just long enough for confusion to register before gravity takes over and she collapses to the floor.

I stare at her. My mind refuses to process what I'm seeing. Only moments ago she had been smiling, handing me champagne and talking to me. Now she lies motionless in the aisle, blood spreading beneath her as the tray rolls uselessly across the floor.

The transition from life to death is so abrupt that my brain rejects it entirely.