Page 123 of Aviatrix

“I don’t think that’s technically a requirement,” I say, exhaling, more sigh than laugh.

“What’s going on with you?” Sasha’s tone softens, her frown deepening. “If this is about Eli, we both know he took down one of those jets, made it out alive, and is probably laying low somewhere. Waiting to pop back up when things settle.”

My shoulders slump. “Or he was gunned down by…” I trail off. But I don’t say it.

Before the silence thickens, Thea groans, “Okay, but can we please talk about the diamond glacier that’s on your hand again? Are we just pretending that’s normal now?”

Sasha grabs my left hand and holds it up like she’s examining evidence. “This is stunning, Kinley. No wonder you said yes.”

I pull my hand from hers. “We need to discuss the funeral.”

“I’m not going,” Sasha states flatly. “I report to Space Command, not Jan Ming.”

“Pretty sure Space Command reports to the Secretary of Defense,” I say dryly. “But what do I know?”

“No,” Sasha snaps back, “I mean I answer to my commanding officer. Not her.”

Thea and I share a look. Sasha’s always been a little too by-the-book. Almost to a fault.

“At the end of the day,” Thea grumbles, “she still reports to the Secretary of Defense. Why can’t she figure that out?”

“It doesn’t matter.” I shake my head. “I’m going. So, if you’re not, you need to leave. You can’t be here for this conversation.”

Sasha exhales sharply. “Well, if you’re going… then I have to go, too.”

“Why?”

“Because I promised—” she abruptly cuts off, her annoyingly large brown eyes silently pleading with me not to make her say it.

“Promised who?” I arch an eyebrow.

“I promised Eli I’d keep an eye out,” she folds instantly. “You know. For you.”

“But you don’t even like me.”

She shrugs. “Yeah, I know. But I owed Eli a favor.”

“Well, Eli’s not here,” I say, crisp and clear. “So, you don’t have to keep that promise.”

“I still think he’s alive,” Sasha argues. “So, I kind of do.”

“I can talk to Lark,” I offer. “Make sure you’re still in D.C. but not at the funeral.”

“Stop making this easy on me,” Sasha snaps. “I’ll go, okay?”

Thea smirks. “She’s an enigma.”

That’s one way of describing Sasha.

“The alien threat is low, but the threat from others isn’t. The Vice President will most likely try to assassinate us at the funeral,” I say flatly.

Thea exhales, already resigned. She knew the moment Jan said attendance was mandatory. Sasha? She’s still catching up.

“No,” Sasha says, lifting a hand. “That’s not true. Our government officials are sworn in to protect and defend the people. They would never orchestrate the takedown of a task force fighting an alien threat. You’re delusional, Kinley.”

I shrug. “You can believe me now or figure it out later. Either way, we need a plan.”

“What did the Colonel say?” Thea asks quietly.