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I give her a knowing smile. Kohaku is totally hot and I can’t really blame her for being attracted to him. But I would appreciate it if she would still be professional. If my flight leaves in an hour, that doesn’t give me much time to get through security and to my gate.
I can feel that Kohaku is keeping his eyes on me, no doubt trying to convey to Gloria that he’s not interested. I wouldn’t blame him if he was, though. She’s pretty with flyaway free hair smoothed into a neat chignon, bright red lipstick and flawless skin.
I know I look a little travel weary, with my hair tossed into a messy bun and no makeup. But I can practically feel his disinterest in her. I don’t know if it’s the bond we share or if he’s just being that blatant, but either way, I lean into his body as I fish my driver’s license out of my purse and hand it over.
Kohaku slides his arm around me, cuddling me into his side as we wait for Gloria to do her job, only exchanging words with her again when she gives me the total and I hand over my credit card.
In ten minutes we’re heading toward the security lines, Kohaku dogging my every step. I pause before I step in the line and press up to my toes to wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug.
“Go find a quiet place and I’ll hang out here near this shadow.”
His arms tighten around me, and I can tell he wants to argue, can tell he wants to stay with me, but that’s impossible. He doesn’t have a ticket and they won’t just let him through security.
His lips brush against my neck before he draws them up to my ear. “You could use an illusion to make me invisible.”
I blink, frowning at a man talking on his cell phone over his shoulder. I could make him invisible, but how long would I be able to hold it for? How long before I drain myself and he just appears next to me? Before I can voice any of that though, Kohaku sighs and pulls back to press his forehead to mine, dark red hair brushing my forehead. “I’m sorry. That is not fair to ask of you. I just don’t want to leave you alone.”
I roll my eyes while also cupping his face. “We talked about this. You aren’t leaving me. Not even a little bit. As soon as we land, I’ll find a private place and you can come out. Okay?”
I can tell he’s not happy, but still goes along with it, nodding begrudgingly before he presses a soft kiss to my lips. I’m ready to pull him closer to take this kiss deeper, but before I have the chance, he releases me and strides away.
I watch his retreating back until he disappears, and then spend the next few minutes people watching. The feeling of eyes on me hasn’t let up, not once, and now that Kohaku isn’t with me, a stab of panic skitters down my spine.
What if he’s right? What if not having him with me physically puts me at greater risk? My hand drifts up to rub at my scar between my breasts, trying to keep that panic at bay. I take slow measured breaths and focus on the surrounding area, listing things I can see to keep my mind off the growing unease inside me.
I let out a relieved breath when I feel him join me again, settling against my skin and shifting around until he’s comfortable against my ribs.
I am here, little warrior. Calm yourself.
Just hearing his voice in my head helps, and I relax as I shoulder our bags and head to the security line.
Despite my fear, nothing happens. Nothing happens as I go through security, nothing happens as I rush to my gate. Nothing happens as I almost immediately board the plane and take my seat, wishing that I’d had the time to get a coffee and a muffin.
But that feeling of being watched persists.
It doesn’t go away until we land in Hartford.
But almost as soon as the wheels touch down, the feeling disappears, and I let out a breath, not realizing how much tension I was holding in my body until it’s gone.
Kohaku shifts against my skin, like he’s eager to get out.
As soon as I can, I find a quiet part of the airport—no mean feat—and in seconds he’s back, standing in front of me. I sway a little, his hands coming up to catch me. “You need sugar, sweet warrior.”
“I just need food in general,” I grumble, pressing my face into his chest.
He chuckles and guides me back to a busier part of the airport, where we find a coffee stand. I get a latte with far too much vanilla syrup in it and cherry danish. I practically inhale the food while Kohaku keeps a careful watch on the crowd around us. Like he doesn’t trust that we aren’t being watched still.
When I’m a bit more steady, he smiles down at me. “What is the plan now, little warrior?”
I puff out my cheeks on a breath. “Now, we need a car.”
My father is in a facility about forty-five minutes outside of Hartford. It’s not too far, but I don’t want to pay an Uber to take us out there, so I have to rent a car. The only problem is that I’m not old enough to do that.
So I use an illusion to change the birthdate on my ID and on the computer when the attendant types it in. I wait for them to tell me I’m a liar and not old enough to rent a car, but he doesn’t. Instead, he just hands over the keys to a small silver sedan and Kohaku and I are on the road shortly after.
We’re quiet the entire time, Kohaku’s thumb brushing back and forth on my thigh as I drown in thoughts and worries and fears about what exactly is going to happen once I see my father for the first time in ten years.
Once we reach the small city where the facility is situated, I have to pull out my phone and look up directions. It buzzes with message after message, and I know they’re all from the men I left behind.
