Page 45 of Wolf Queen Ruin
I laughed.“I get it, but did you see that selfie I sent you last night?”
She whistled much too dramatically.“Not only did I see it, but I’m also wagering that every single person at that masquerade last night wants to ‘partner’ with my girl.Seriously, how did you get so hot?”
“Right.Please.”
My best friend, always making me feel like a supermodel.
I rubbed my knuckles together, feeling my stubborn engagement ring, underneath my leather climbing gloves.Not all that strange of an item to wear during my visit with Theo, and they covered the piece of jewelry I didn’t want to explain.
Should I tell Jade?I bit my tongue and decided not to.
“Are you going to be all right, Luna?”she asked, her voice serious, like she was mistaking my thoughts for hesitancy.
“Of course.”I cleared my throat of a sudden snag.“Are you?”
“Obviously.Now, don’t forget that I’ve got you covered over on this side.”
“I won’t forget.Bye, Jade.Love you.”
“I love you too, but I won’t if you die.Remember that.”
“Got it.”I tapped the button on my earpiece and sighed.
Back at the Repository, I ran up to my apartment and then found Felix.
“If anything changes, anything at all, contact me immediately.”I pressed a satellite phone into his hand, a chunky model that looked like it belonged in a military operation.“This works anywhere.I don’t care if I’m hanging off a cliff or swimming through piranha-infested waters.”
“Of course.”Dr.Felix pocketed the phone in his cardigan, which he wore over hisI Got Circumcised in New Orleans!T-shirt.Strange, slightly cringey shirts were kind of his thing.“You’re sure you trust Damien?”
A knock sounded at the front door, and before I could answer, Felix rushed to answer it and ushered Damien inside.He wore his pristine expedition gear—khaki pants with multiple pockets, a moisture-wicking shirt, and a light jacket—the fabric hugging the sculpted muscles of his body.
Did I trust him fully?No.Was I beginning to?Yes.Was that smart?Well…
Damien nodded toward me.“Our transportation is arranged.We leave in an hour.”
“I’ll just grab my bag,” I said, heading upstairs.
If Damien didn’t notice my bag already by the door, he didn’t say anything.I took a small detour to the infirmary part of the Repository, said my goodbyes, wiped my tears, and then joined Damien downstairs once again.
He took a step toward me, his blue eyes lit with genuine empathy that made it harder to breathe.
“Are you all right, Luna?”he asked softly.
“Just saying goodbye.”Averting my gaze, I bent to retrieve my bag, but Damien was faster.
Of course he was.
As he loaded my bag into the waiting car, Damien received a call.His expression darkened as he listened, his jaw tightening.
“We’ll be airborne within the hour,” Damien said.“Yes, I understand the risks.No, I won’t be dissuaded.”
He hung up with visible frustration, his thumb pressing the end button with unnecessary force.
“Your maker?”I guessed.
“No,” he growled.
All righty, then.
