Page 161 of Aviatrix

“Did you attack the White House?”

“No.”

“The cemetery?”

“No.”

“Who attacked, then?” I ask the alien.

“We do not interfere in human affairs,” it screeches again. “Give me coordinates!”

Lark nods to someone in the control room. Someone with coordinates to the warehouse. The alien slithers back into its ship, leaving a slimy path in its wake. I stare in disbelief as the hatch seals shut, the sleek black surface shifting, becoming jagged, ancient. Like the smooth exterior was a mask. A lie.

That’s when I notice a large crack. Several. They spider out all over the ship. Almost like it’s breaking apart.

A soft hiss. And then…

Gone.

The ship vanishes right in front of us. Invisible.

I let out a shaky breath, nausea rising fast. There’s nothing in my stomach, but I double over anyway, hands on my knees.

Lark kneels beside me, his hand light on my back. “Breathe, Kin. Breathe.”

I nod, but my mind is already spinning. Eli. I need to see him. Need to feel that I’m still here, still real.

“Did you get the…” I trail off, trying to breathe through the panic. “The coordinates?”

“We gave them the location,” Lark says gently, just as tears blur my vision. “They’ll find the warehouse. Maybe they’ll find the Legion.”

“What if they don’t?” I whisper, tears slipping down my cheeks.

“We’ll figure it out,” he says right as Eli’s hand lands on my arm.

I straighten, barely holding it together. Eli’s eyes meet mine, soft and steady. He doesn’t say a word. He doesn’t have to.

You did it. You’re alive. We’re okay.

His silence says everything.

“You need to sit down,” Eli says softly.

“Give her a minute, Major.” Lark curses quietly under his breath. “She just stood face-to-face with one of them.”

Eli ignores him. “Come on, Quay.” Then, he lowers his voice just loud enough so I can hear, “You don’t have to carry it alone.”

And I don’t. Not anymore.

“Don’t order her around,” Lark snarls.

“Me?” Eli shoots back, frustration laced in every word. “What about you? Locking her in a room when you knew they wouldn’t leave without talking to her.”

“This is my base!” Lark thunders. “Mine! If you have a problem—”

“What is going on?” Mom’s words cut through the noise.

“N-nothing,” I lie as I reach for Eli. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me close. I press my ear to his chest, letting the sound of his heartbeat calm me.