Page 121 of The Explorer
“It’s fine. I’ll tell Dina to bring Zola to the drone.”
When we took off from the Gray Mansion, we were three people less than when we arrived.
Freya, Mason, and Thor were moving on with their lives while Aubri and I continued our jobs in Old Europe.
Aubri kept looking down at the mansion as the drone lifted into the air.
“Are you okay?” I asked her.
“Yeah, it’s just…” She trailed off and continued with sadness in her tone. “We won’t be there when Mason’s child is born.”
My throat felt a little itchy from emotions, when I took her hand and squeezed it. “He promised to document the first months, and time will pass quickly, you’ll see.”
Aubri leaned her temple against the window and sighed. “I know. I just hate to miss out on anything.”
CHAPTER 31
Boss
Aubri
“Down there is the school we went to as children. My best friend Sparrow lives there. It’s an experimental school with students and teachers from all three countries.” Showing Zola Victoria’s Island made me a bit emotional.
“In a minute, you’ll see one of the oldest houses in the Northlands.” I pointed in the direction of Christina’s and Alexander Boulder’s home.
“It’s where my family lives,” Indiana explained. “Aubri and I have our own house a few minutes from my parents.”
The trees below us opened up and Zola pressed her nose against the window to see the pond with the two houses we had told her about.
“I can’t believe that you have all this space around you with no neighbors. This island is bigger than our country.”
“That’s not true. It might be bigger than the inhabited part of your country, but don’t forget that you live on an entire continent. Once we get Europe cleaned up, you’ll have lots of room to spread out on.”
Zola looked up at Indiana. “I don’t see that happening in my lifetime.”
“Then maybe in your children’s or grandchildren’s.”
The French waited by the pond while Indiana and I quickly packed our things.
I was in our bedroom when Kya and Christina came in.
“Have you heard from Sparrow?”
“No. We were just grabbing our things and coming to say goodbye to you. Is she up by the school?”
Kya closed the door and Christina went to stand by the window. “Sparrow took Banni to Old Europe.”
I would have thought it a joke if not for the fact that the two women sounded serious.
“And who else?”
“No one.”
“You let Sparrow go with a man by herself?” My voice rose a little.
“Oh, stop, Aubri, you sound like Archer.” Kya went to sit on the bed next to my bag. “Sparrow didn’t ask for permission and he’s freaking out, but why should she? Our daughter is a grown woman who can take care of herself.”
Christina nodded. “Besides, Banni isn’t going to hurt her.”
