Page 127 of Falling Princess

“What’s happening?”

“I guess we’re getting on that thing.” Raina had her arms crossed over her black cashmere coat. Stupidly, I grabbed my white one. Again. I have no instinct for spy craft. Or, possibly, common sense.

Kenton came out of the building. We climbed into the eight-seat aircraft. Cata and Kenton in the cockpit, six seats two across in the back. I took the one next to Lorcan. I’m terrified. I’m not leaving his side for one second until this is over.

The plane rattled down the runway and took off. It’s nothing like the leather-interior jets we usually use. We’ll have to refuel before we get home.

“I guess this is what Cata meant by calling Kenton flyboy?” I whispered to my seatmate. Lorcan glanced at me sidelong and squeezed my hand in confirmation.

Hours passed. Raina slept fitfully. Bashir rested his eyes. Lorcan let me put my head on his shoulder and pretend to do the same. I never stopped holding his hand. I’m done pretending I don’t have feelings for him, even in front of Raina.

Right now, that’s the least of our worries.

CHAPTERFORTY

The landing jolted me hard enough to bite my tongue. I awakened to the taste of blood.

When I looked out the window of the plane, I saw fire.

“How bad is it?” I asked Lorcan.

“Bad. We’re in a remote part of the Central Valley. There were no good options.” His voice bumped along with the aircraft. There’s no airfield in Auralia. It’s night. There are no lights, nothing to indicate whether we’re headed straight for a tree or a barn at high speed.

Miraculously, Kenton wheeled us to a safe stop. We all applauded.

“Everyone out,” Cata ordered. “Take only what you can carry easily. There should be horses at pasture nearby. Kenton and I will fly to the castle and try to land on the Sun Temple Plateau. It’ll be a tight landing, but if we make it, we’ll have access to the control room for the Sentinels. Saskaya should be there by now.”

The barest flicker of fear over her face tells me that she’s afraid. Cata is the strongest person I know. It leached into me like ice water into a rock crevice, fracturing my outward calm.

“Take this.”

Lorcan pressed cold steel into my hand. The Italian knife. I glanced up at him.

“Shouldn’t you give it to Raina?”

“She has her spear and dagger. You have nothing. This is light, easy to conceal, and a good length for a beginner to use.” Lorcan took off his belt and looped it around my hips. I’m a little embarrassed that he has to put it on the second-to-last notch, as though that’s what I should be noticing right now. I might not have much on top but I do have padding on my rear. He hooked the knife at my hip. Then he kissed my forehead. “I hope you don’t need it.”

“Don’t leave me,” I pleaded, fruitlessly. He’ll do whatever he needs to, and I need to be stronger than this.

Cata handed me a small pack with emergency supplies. I left my coat on the seat and put the strap over my shoulder.

“Zosia.” She took me by the shoulders. “Your father is alive. We got a message from him about an hour ago.”

I let out a choked sob of relief.

“He’s in the castle. There’s a problem with the Sentinels. He says they’ve turned on us, but the voicemail was brief and he hasn’t responded since. Kenton and I are going to check it out, if we can get close enough.”

“Be safe, Cata.” I can’t explain my sense of dread. It’s probably nothing more than the sudden turn of events. I’m afraid, but I can manage that. It’s the loss of control that scares me. Everything is happening too fast.

“I will.” She gave me a quick hug. “Zosia. You are a daughter to me. Be brave, my flower. We will get through this.”

It required all my strength to let her go.

“Get the princesses to Covari Village. Come and find me at the Temple once they’re safe,” she ordered Lorcan.

“We should have stayed in Scotland.”

Cata closed her eyes. “I know. We’re here now. Get the girls to safety and we’ll do what we can.”

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