Page 91 of The Immortal’s Mark

I spin around and walk to the jet, climb the stairs, and step inside.

The interior is lined with cream leather, polished wood, and the faint scent of citrus cleaner. The seats aren’t arranged like a plane I’ve ever been on. On the jet, they look more like overstuffed armchairs. And instead of all facing one direction, they are arranged in groups of four on either side, two seats facing the other two.

A petite flight attendant greets me at the entrance. “Welcome aboard. Please take any seat you’d like.”

A quick scan reveals Alex, Mistress Lola, Lucas, and my mother are seated on the left side of the plane. On the right, Paige sits with her back to the cockpit. Gregory stands near the rear, waiting for me to choose my seat.

I drop into the window seat across from Paige. I tuck my smaller duffle, the one with my phone, under my seat, then fasten my seat belt as Gregory stows my other bag overhead before taking the seat next to me.

“You all right?” he asks in a low voice. His eyes dart meaningfully to the window.

I follow his gaze and frown at the clear view of Des standing with his brother.

I face forward. “I’m fine.”

At least, I will be.

Gregory doesn’t press. He settles into his seat, but not before taking out his Sherlock Holmes novel and opening to a dog-eared page. I smile to myself, then take out my cell phone.

I send a quick text to Dad, wishing him goodnight. He doesn’t know I’m leaving Greece, and thanks to the brothers' Masking, he won’t expect to see me anytime soon. With any luck, I won’t be gone long, and once I return, I’ll be able to return to a semi-normal life.

As normal as becoming Immortal and wielding magical powers can be…

The flight attendant closes the cabin door, and the hum of the engines fills the silence.

Across the aisle, my mother’s gaze drifts to me. I open my ebook app and glue my eyes to the screen.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the pilot’s voice crackles over the intercom. “Prepare for takeoff.”

The engines whine louder, and the cabin vibrates as the jet rolls forward to the runway.

My stomach flips when the wheels leave the ground. Greece shrinks beneath us, vanishing under a sea of clouds.

When the pilot informs us we are at cruising altitude and can move about the cabin, Alex’s voice cuts through the air.

“Alright, everyone. We land in ten hours. I suggest everyone get some sleep. When we arrive, we will go straight to the safe house. Then, tomorrow evening, we will meet our first contact.”

“Where exactly are we going?” I ask.

“Southern Florida.”

“Florida?” My brows rise. “Why in the world would we go there?”

“There have been several reliable reports of rebel movement outside of Miami.”

I slump back in my seat with a shake of my head. “It doesn’t seem like the sort of place a high and mighty Original would want to be.”

Adir’s fortress in Turkey, where he’d taken me after abducting me from Greece, had been massive. And historic.

I can’t imagine the pretentious Immortal posting up anywhere else. Not even in one of the luxury mansions in the Sunshine state.

Gregory chuckles quietly beside me.

Even Paige, sitting rigid and silent in front of us, gives a snort.

“Trust our intelligence,” is Alex’s reply. He settles back in his chair. “Now, excuse me, but I intend to rest.”

He closes his eyes.