Page 142 of Aviatrix

“Yeah?” Eli groans.

“Colonel Jones is looking for you both,” someone calls from the hallway.

My eyes widen. “Glitch?”

I move as Eli unlocks the door and swings it open. Standing in the doorway is the youngest certified flyer in recent history, her black curls clinging to her sweaty face.

“You made it!” I squeal, lunging forward to hug her.

“You think the skies are clear,” Thea says against my cheek so Eli can't hear, “but something’s up there, Nova. Something worse than Rourke.”

I let her go and take a step back, terror knotting itself in my stomach like lead. “I was so worried about you.”

“Same.” She forces a small smile. “The Colonel’s ready for you both.”

“Thanks,” I say, licking my lips.

“We’ll meet up after?” she asks.

“Yeah.” I let out a breath, grateful she’s alive.

Eli’s hand finds mine. He traces the length of my fingers, pausing when he feels the diamond on my ring finger.

I freeze. The ring digs into my skin—too tight, too loud. I want to tell him it meant nothing. That it was armor, not affection.

“Jan Ming. It was her idea.”

His face hardens. “The Secretary of Defense?”

I nod. But I don’t explain the rest. That I said yes because I thought I’d already lost him and I couldn’t lose any more people I cared about.

“I bet the Colonel loved that.” Eli rolls his eyes.

“Lark saved my ass out there just like you did,” I say, defending him. “And he gave us five minutes together, Eli. He’s… he’s trying.”

“Trying to get back into your good graces,” he says, but his tone lacks conviction. There’s something incredibly raw and wounded in his eyes.

I shake my head. “That’s not fair.” But if it were me, if he was wearing a ring someone else gave him, I’d be miffed, too.

“It’s the truth.”

“When I thought you were dead—”

“I was never dead,” he cuts in. “I told you I’d be back in a day or two. I was always fine. The General knew where I was,” he says. “If you needed me, all you had to do was reach out to him.”

“I didn’t know,” I whisper. “Lark asked. The General said he hadn’t heard from you.”

Eli shakes his head. “Then, he lied to you, Quay. I’m always in contact with the General. I can’t even pee without the man knowing.”

“I… are you sure?”

He nods. “I would never go dark without a reason. I’d never leave you without answers. I know how much they matter to you. And the General knows that. If he didn’t tell Lark the truth, then he must have had a reason.”

“Are you two done?” Lark snaps from the meeting room doorway.

I bite back a curse and exhale, low and slow.

There was a time I wouldn’t have questioned an order from command. But that time’s over. I don’t trust titles. I trust actions.