“I’ll let you go, Blake,” I said. “I know you’re busy.”

“Never too busy for you. Will I see you soon?”

There was real hope in his voice and it made me smile.

“I hope so. Watch out for him, ’kay.”

“I always do.”

We hung up and some of the chill I’d been carrying all day melted away.

Spring

Senior Year

CHAPTER TWELVE

SPRING BREAK

It was finally warm outside again. I took things day by day, always on edge, always awaiting news of my next mission. The dairy bar opened during spring break, so I went back to work. I was halfway through my shift on Wednesday when the door to the ice cream stand burst open and my boss and coworker screamed. The giant man standing there looked scary as hell with his shaved head and all-black biker ensemble.

“Dad!”

He nodded at me and looked at my boss, a middle-aged woman who leaned back against the soft-serve machine with a hand on her heart, staring at him.

“Sorry, miss, but we have a family emergency. Anna’s gotta leave for a few days.”

Without taking her eyes off him she nodded, and her scared gray aura simmered into red.

Aw, c’mon. That’s just . . . ew.

Dad grabbed my hand.

“Sorry,” I called to my boss over my shoulder.

We headed to the compact rental car across the street. He cracked me up with those cars that didn’t match his gruff personality whatsoever.

“You need a Harley,” I told him.

“It’s not so easy to rent those when you’re in a hurry,” he replied, opening my door. “Get in.”

I did as I was told, but when he got in he didn’t start the car. He just turned his big body to me in the cramped space, and ran a hand down his goatee, frowning.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Remember last year before New Year’s when we had that regional meeting at Pharzuph’s?” My pulse quickened.

“Well, it’s time for another one. Tomorrow night in Atlanta. Just the U.S. Dukes.”

My insides rolled. “Do I have to go?”

“Hell, no. I can’t have you anywhere near Pharzuph. I need to get you out of town. Right now.” He tapped the steering wheel with thick fingers. “I’m telling them I’ve sent you on college trips.”

“Where am I really going?”

“All over the damn place.” He pulled a folded paper from his back pocket. I scanned the itinerary and realized he wasn’t kidding. I would be traveling the world, one airport to the next, for three straight days.

“It’ll be safer for you in the skies. The Legionnaires don’t venture up there—they stay low to earth.”

“Will you get in trouble if I’m not there?” I asked.

“Nah. Don’t worry ’bout that. Your flight leaves in five hours. Go pack a bag and get Patti to take you.”

“Will Kaidan and Blake be there?”

“I’m sure they will,” he said. Then he tapped my temple. “Head in the game, gal.”

I hugged him across the small console and he kissed my forehead.

I called Marna during my France layover. I’d be landing in London shortly and would have more than two hours before my next flight. As I dialed her, my eyes surveyed the airport lobby, just as I’d done at every stop, looking for spirits. I hadn’t seen any.

“Hallo?” she answered.

“Hey,” I said.

“It’s clear here,” she told me. “He’s away at some gala.”

“Are you working tonight?” I asked.

“We’re on our way out. What’s up with you?”

Without giving her any details or reasoning, I explained that I’d be stopping in London on a layover during my travels. She got all excited and said she’d try to make it out for a quick visit if she was done working by then.

When I arrived in London, Marna met me at a coffee shop just inside the airport. It was nearly midnight, but plenty of people were still around. We sat at a tall table on high stools with our creamy cappuccinos.

“Ginger’s not coming?” I asked.

She gave me a tight smile and took a sip. “She’s still working. She can kill me later.”

We both sipped our hot drinks and she eyed me.

“No offense, luv, but you look cream crackered.”

“Huh?”

She giggled. “Knackered.”

Oh, yeah, “tired.” I’d tried to learn some of that Brit slang online, but it was all confusing to me.

“I’m so out of it.” I lay my head down and she laughed.

“Tell me what’s been up since I last saw you. Any new friends?”

I knew she meant allies, and I smiled as I sat back up. “Yep. Just one, but he’s a good one.”

“Fab.” She grinned. “And how is our lad Kope?”

I swallowed. “He’s fine. I haven’t talked to him since I saw him at Christmas.”

“Hm.” She watched me carefully and her probing eyes threw me off-kilter. My mouth went dry.

He couldn’t have told her. There’s no way.

“What?” I asked. It came out all nervous and guilty sounding. Great.

“Nothing.” She propped her elbows on the little round table. “It’s just that you can talk to me if you’d like.”

She seriously must have had some kind of radar for gossip. I had zero intention of telling any living soul about the kiss or Kope’s secret. No way was I spilling those beans.