Page 61 of Midnight Whispers
“We’re hoping they find a stranger, but they’re unpredictable.”
“And what if they choose one of us?” Flora asks.
“That is always a possibility, but our hope is that they don’t.” Finn responds and threads his fingers in mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckle.
“You don’t… want us to become one of you?” I ask in a quiet voice.
“Eventually, yes. I want nothing more to spend forever with you,” He pinches the bridges of his nose. “But I want it to be yourchoice, Lillia. I don’t want this to be a life you’re forced into.”
“I see.”
“I just want you to choose on your own, that’s all.”
“We will need to leave soon.” Asher announces, standing up and smoothing the leg of his trousers.
“I wish we could have stayed. I would have loved to experience France.”
“I’ll bring you back,” Finn stands and places a gentle kiss on my forehead, his lips lingering on my skin. “We will have forever.” He withdraws his fingers from mine and leaves the room.
Forever.
My heart clenches.
“I got you some things babe.” Flora says proudly and disappears into the kitchen.
A short moment later she comes out with a large brown paper bag. I peek inside and see several books. “Oh Flo!” I exclaim as I pull them out, the contents are a combination of old and new editions of either book I’ve read and loved or ones on my TBR. “There was a secondhand bookstore down the street. It’s your version of Heaven.”
“Thank you.” I pull her into a hug.
“You mustreallylike the books.” She chuckles.
“Do you have everything?” Asher hollers down the hallway.
“I need coffee before we leave.” Flora responds.
Oh shoot.
“Oh my gosh, Alcott’s!” My voice is full of panic.
“I already called Sophi and told her you were away on a personal emergency. She’s holding down the fort.”
“Ugh,” my shoulders sag and I exhale, my tight chest begins to soften. “Thanks Flo. You’re the best.”
“Don’t you forget it.” She winks and clicks her tongue simultaneously.
“Ready?” Finn says, walking up behind me with multiple bags. Flora and I nod in confirmation.
“Good. The cars waiting downstairs.” Asher opens the door and ushers us out. The sun burns my eyes as we walk out onto the street. A large black SUV with tinted windows is waiting for us.”
“The Counsel called in a car service to guarantee our arrival.” Finn whispers into my ear. The driver opens the back door and one at a time we get in. It’s a third row, so Asher and Flora get into the back and Finn, and I sit in the middle. The driver is silent the entire ride to the private air strip.
The SUV pulls into the hanger, the jet is already open and ready for us. The pilot and the two flight attendants introduce themselves as we approach the stairs. Finn wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me tight against his side. He urges me up the stairs and walks closely behind me as we enter the jet.
“Basically, everyone who works for the Counsel are vampires, or want to become one, and I don’t trust any of them.” He whispers against the top of my ear, his voice as low as he could make it.
We sit down in seats toward the middle of the plane, Asher and Flora take the ones opposite of the aisle. Finn lifts the arm rest in between us and scoots me over close to him. The crew enters the jet, the attendants double check our needs before sitting and buckling up near the cockpit. The pilot announces our departure and updates us on weather conditions and the arrival information.
I nuzzle into Finn’s chest as the jet begins on the path toward the runaway. The engines begin to vibrate as the speed intensifies, as we near the end of the path we gain the momentum needed and lift into the air.