Clenching the fingers of one hand, Petra growled. What the hell is wrong with me? It’s time to get over him, already.
Pushing aside her curiosity and anger, Petra boarded the helicopter and took a seat.
Chapter Seven
Will was careful to pick the middle seat inside the helicopter, putting himself as far as possible from the windows and doors. The ride was going to be pure hell. While he could handle airplanes because of the stable, almost room-like atmosphere, helicopters were loud, jerky, and tiny, with easy views to the land below.
If only Leyna had sat next to him, he might be able to draw off her nonchalant attitude. But she’d been careful to take the seat farthest away from him, across the way and next to one of the doors. He wanted to know why she had done so, but knew it would have to wait. He would find a way to talk to her. After the exchange with Neena, Jaxton, and the others, Will had more questions than answers.
Not to mention it’d been nice telling her about the beating two years ago. It was almost as if that revelation was the first step in bridging the past between them. As much as he wanted to deny it, Will wanted to tell Leyna more.
Yes, more. While he wasn’t ready to admit it aloud, he missed his best friend. Maybe, just maybe, if he learned more of her past, he’d be able to find a way to help her. No matter what she’d done before, Leyna deserved a life free of fear and anxiety.
The second Jaxton shut the door, Will snapped out of his head just as the chopper took off. Wanting to distract himself from the small, metal cage he sat in, he asked, “So how are we getting out of here without being shot down?”
Kiarra stared down at a mobile phone. “Three, two, one.”
The helicopter jerked for a second before remaining steady. Will chanced a glance out of the side window. Gusts of wind circled around them so strongly he could physically see it happening.
It was almost as if they were inside the eye of a tornado.
Kiarra grinned and looked to Jaxton. “Darius is right on schedule, as usual.”
Jaxton grunted and fell silent. Before Will could ask who the bloody hell Darius was, Millie jumped in. “Where are we going now?”
Kiarra answered, “Our eventual goal is the UK, but we have one more pick-up to make in Hong Kong.”
Will frowned. “Don’t tell me we’re visiting the research facility.”
Kiarra looked at him askance. “How do you know about that?”
Before he could answer, Leyna beat him to it. “Will used to work there, before his hands started glowing. I’m surprised your strange leader didn’t tell you that. She seems to know everything.”
He glared at Leyna, but Millie grabbed his left hand and turned it palm upward. “I want to see it. Show us.” He tugged his hand, but Millie’s grip tightened. “Don’t make me have to knock you unconscious.”
Jaxton’s voice boomed inside the chopper. “Knock it off, Millicent. I need everyone conscious and ready to help retrieve our target. She’s irreplaceable.”
Leyna waved at Will. “He’s also irreplaceable. Will has the power to heal. And if what Millie tells me about the Four Talents is true, he’ll be drawn to protecting the closest Talent. Based upon her earlier display of power, I think Kiarra is one.”
Will whipped his head around to study the woman named Kiarra. He had momentarily forgotten about his theory surrounding the woman during takeoff. In the present, he eyed the small-boned woman with short hair and delicate features. “How are you a Talent? You look as if you might break in two if I hugged you too tightly.”
Leyna snorted. “So now you believe the legends.”
He never took his eyes from Kiarra. “Not necessarily. And besides, if she is a Talent, I don’t feel a pull to do anything. I call bullshit.”
Millie released his hand. “We’ll see about that.”
In the next second, Millie drew a short knife, slashed the top of her brother’s leg, and sat back. “There.”
Jaxton barked, “What the fuck was that for?”
Millie winked. “You can thank me later.” She moved her gaze to Kiarra. “Jaxton is your Conduit and he’s injured. Tell Will to heal him and see what happens.”
Will had no idea what the hell a Conduit was, but that didn’t matter. He put up a hand. “There’s no bloody way I’m going to use the power I despise. As soon as we land, I might just take my chances and go out on my own.”
Kiarra studied him a second before ordering, “Heal Jaxton or I can’t use my power to the fullest and the eventual disaster will kill us all.”
Will’s hands started to glow. He cursed and closed his eyes. There was no way he was going to follow the woman’s order.