Page 39 of Secrets and Ruin

“The healers are keeping everyone comfortable under the sleeping curse. We’ve moved some extra mattresses in, and everyone is doing well for now. I have the others doing tight patrols around your property, not the entire territory.”

“You don’t have the wolves for it,” Landon said.

“No, I don’t,” Heath agreed. “What are you two planning?”

“We have some of Niko’s staff picking us up when we land. Do you think my family will notice the flight? They must know I own this thing now, right?”

“I don’t really know, but I’m learning not to… Why would they think it’s concerning? You sent Dirk to visit Niko. Why wouldn’t you go visit as well? Do they tell each other those sorts of plans?”

“No, I don’t think so, but I’m trying to keep things quiet for the moment,” I explained, sighing. “You know my family.”

“Regretfully on most days,” Heath confirmed, making all of us give similarly sad chuckles, each knowing that it would be funny if it wasn’t sad.

“I just wanted to check in with you, Pa. Carey behaving?”

“I don’t know what Jacky said to her, but she’s been a boon,” Heath said. Heath had a way of speaking that brought an image to mind. He was probably pushing his hand through his hair, a small smile forming, even if he wasn’t particularly happy. “Helping the healers, making sure everyone is eating and drinking. She’s too young to be running around like that, but she pointed out to me that she was only following my lead.”

“Yeah, because you probably asked them ten minutes before she did,” Landon said, shaking his head, and I was certain I caught an eye roll.

“You would be right. I need to make sure everyone is doing okay. Call me again whenever you need to. I want to know what’s going on.”

“We’ll keep you up to speed,” I promised. “Love you.”

“Love you, too. Stay safe… both of you.”

“We’ll try,” Landon said before hanging up. He gave me a sheepish smile, making him look ten years younger. It showed me a young man who might have existed if the world hadn’t thrown every trouble and tribulation his way. A young man who loved his father and relied on him without shame or reservation. It was a side of Landon I didn’t get to see often. I always knew it was there, but he showed it so rarely.

“I figured if I wanted to hear him, you would, too.”

“I did, thank you.” I patted his hand before leaning back to wait for our landing.

It wasn’t the worst landing, but it wasn’t the best, either. Turbulence made the final descent into something of a stomach churner, but we did touch down. We were taken to a hangar bay, where Landon discussed payment for allowing the plane to stay, clearly working around the law to make it happen. Once he was done, we were given a ride in a nondescript SUV by another fae to the pickup location. This one didn’t explain why she was doing it instead of the werewolves or witches working around the airport.

“How is it already Monday afternoon?” I asked as we waited for our pickup to show themselves. I stared at the sky, frowning. “Aside from the obvious issue with the flight being eleven hours and the time zones we jumped. I know Berlin is seven hours ahead of Dallas and all that.”

“Well, you’ve already answered it from the logical standpoint, but everyone does this thing where they lose track of time when shit is going on. So, here we are.”

“Miss Leon and Mister Everson?”

My eyes snapped to the source and saw a human woman. She smelled nervous but grew bolder when she met my eyes.

“Good, good. I didn’t know what you looked like,” she said, suddenly smiling. Her English wasn’t heavily accented, but it was still clear to me she was probably a local. “But you have your father’s eyes, and there they are!” She clapped her hands together. “I’m Millie. I have been asked to take you to the car. Ansel said you would be here and need transport to the estate. It’s something of a drive, so let’s move along. Wemightbe able to get there before nightfall.”

“Does he really live that far from Berlin?”

“He keeps a house in the city to manage his businesses, but yes, he’s always tried to keep his time in the city to a minimum and his home away from the urban sprawl.”

As we walked out of the airport, there was a moment of the sky above us, and she checked it and her watch.

“We probably won’t get there before nightfall,” she said, shaking her head.

“How long is the drive?” Landon asked as we followed her to the car.

“Just under eight hours. I can drive fast, but you know, teleportation would be nice. I wish the world would hurry that up.” She seemed relaxed, all smiles now as we loaded in.

And she did drive fast, flying past people on the road. I held onto my seatbelt in the front seat, wondering if she should have slowed down or had one of us drive. We were the supernaturals with the special instincts and all that.

“How long have you worked for Niko? You seem about Dirk’s age,” I said, trying to think of anything else.

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