Page 167 of Corpse Roads
His eyes sparkle. “I may take you up on that. Listen, the others are waiting for me. I should head back down.”
“I need to find Leighton. He’s taking me home.”
Nodding, Theo offers me his hand again, but it isn’t shaking this time. There’s a certainty to the way his fingers link with mine.
“Let’s find him together.”
CHAPTER 31
HARLOW
BURNING THE IRON AGE - TRADE WIND
Bustled out of the black-tinted SUV, I throw my backpack over my shoulder. Rain is falling in thick curtains, soaking the smooth tarmac beneath my leather boots. The snow didn’t last long.
The time has come.
We’re going up north.
The sprawling airport is an unnerving sight. Huge aeroplanes are parked in neat rows, towering well above me like great steel beasts. Everything here is huge, from the miles of runway to the glistening glass buildings of the terminals behind us.
Enzo climbs out of the car and steals my backpack from me before I can protest. “Are you doing okay?”
“Yeah,” I answer quickly.
“Are you sure?”
I haven’t been able to eat or drink anything, including at dinner last night. It all tastes like ashes in my mouth. Sleep was also impossible, so I’m running on empty.
“Harlow?”
“I just need some space.”
Enzo clears his throat. “Okay then.”
He silently nods to the various agents standing in formation as we approach them. They’re all dressed in black uniforms, packing visible gun holsters and schooled expressions.
“It’s alright to be scared,” he tries again as we cross the tarmac. “We’re all here to help you get through the next couple of days.”
I don’t respond.
For once, I want Enzo to stay as far away from me as possible. He’s too good at teasing the truth from me. If I’m going to keep it together, I need to hold every broken, ugly piece of myself inside.
One wrong move and it’ll all crumble to ruin. My secrets are dangerously close to devouring me in a greedy, hellish furnace. Keeping them inside is going to take every ounce of control I have.
We’re taking Sabre’s private plane for the short flight up north. Their logo is even printed on the gleaming wing. Enzo gestures for me to go ahead, and I tentatively head up the narrow steps.
Inside, their wealth and power are spelled out in cream-coloured leather seats, dark-wood panels and a fully stocked bar lined with different liquors. Two rows of seats sandwich a wide, carpeted aisle.
At the back of the aeroplane, a gaggle of people are messing around with raised voices. I feel Enzo’s hand on my lower back, gently guiding me towards them as my lungs seize up.
They fall quiet, and various eyes land on me with curiosity. I recognise a couple of the guys immediately. Becket and Ethan guarded my hospital room, and they offer me smiles of greeting.
The other two with them also wave with friendly smiles. They introduce themselves as Tara and Warner, the final members of the Anaconda team.
Enzo drops my backpack into an empty seat. “Harlow, you haven’t officially met the Cobra team yet either. They helped in Devon too.”
I manage an awkward nod. “Hi, everyone.”