Page 137 of Glitched Fates & Stolen Mates

“That’s what makes us perfect for each other,” Rory said, grin returning to his face.

Something warm unfurled inside me. We actually smiled at each other, properly, maybe for the first time ever, and I couldn’t help feeling like maybe I’d gained something important.

“So, now that we’re besties, you can fill me in on you and Kit!”

I groaned and shook my head.

“Oh, come on! How else are we meant to fill the flight time?!”

By actually coming up with a plan.

“I don’t mean the details of your sex life, by the way. Obviously, I don’t want to hear about that. Unless you want some tips?” Rory winked at me.

“Absolutely not,” I said, eyeing the panic button above me.

“Though it sounds like you don’t need any, what with Priya saying Flynn found camera footage—”

“I don’t have a plan!” I blurted out.

Rory blinked. “What?”

“I don’t have a plan for when we get there, so we need to come up with one. Right now.”

Rory stared at me for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly.

“Okay. Don’t worry. Plans are my specialty.”

“Burn the whole place down.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“That’s the plan. We take them down once and for all.”

I could have cried. My earlier relief at having a partner in crime was quickly fading. Something told me this might be harder with Rory than going solo.

We stood outside a ski equipment shop in Zurich airport, arms loaded with overpriced thermal gear that had further emptied our rather pitiful bank accounts. The fluorescent lighting made everything feel surreal—like we were actors in some budget action film, except with significantly less competence.

Rory clutched a steaming coffee cup, his nose wrinkled in disgust. “This isn’t anywhere near Fat Cat’s quality. I’m gutted we left Freddy behind. He better not go to the cafe without me again.”

“Focus. We’ve got bigger problems. We’re actually here now.” I stepped outside the airport, immediately hit by the crisp mountain air that made my lungs rejoice. The Alps loomed in the distance, snow-capped peaks that looked beautiful and utterly impossible to navigate. Kit was somewhere far out there. In those mountains.

We both paused for a moment, taking in the enormity of what we were attempting.

Then Rory announced, with the confidence of someone who definitely hadn’t thought this through, “Right. First step—rental car.”

I blinked. “One that will drive up mountains?”

“One that’ll get us halfway up, at least.”

“Rory.” I swallowed hard. “I can’t drive.”

He winked at me. “Luckily, I can.”

“So I’ve heard.”

We followed the signs for car rental—helpfully decorated with a picture of a car—whilst my mind spun. Would we even make it out of the city with Rory behind the wheel? He’d have to drive on the opposite side of the road from England. We’d either die in a spectacular crash or spend the next few days in a Swiss prison.

I couldn’t wait for my one phone call to be Seb.