Across the aisle, Keric watches me with that dark, intense gaze. Black horns burst from his forehead and white tusks poke past his bottom lip. He’s still bare chested, only wearing black pants and boots. And dear god, he’s so handsome it’s blinding.
“You’re awake,” he says quietly.
Heat rushes to my face and butterflies dance in my belly. This is what he does to me. “How long was I asleep?”
He stretches his arms, giving me a show of those rippling, green muscular arms. “Most of the flight.” His mouth quirks slightly. “Don’t worry. We took a private red eye flight. I fell asleep too.”
Liar. I can tell by the careful way he’s sitting, the alertness in his posture. He stayed awake all night, watching over me. The thought should be creepy but instead it makes my chest tight. “Where are we flying to?”
His brow furrows. “You don’t remember?”
“Well, it’s a little fuzzy. I think I said yes to you taking me to your orc commune in Maine. Is that right? Are we really flying across the country?”
“Yes. Maine.” He gestures toward the window. “In fact, we’re almost there. Look.”
“Oh wow.” I lean over and peer out the window at the distant landscape below. Endless forests stretch out in every direction, dusted with early snow. Mountains appear in the distance. It’s beautiful and terrifying and so far from California I might as well be on another planet. “Where is Jonus? Wasn’t he with us in the car on the way to the airport?”
“He’s staying behind to help keep everyone who went to the wedding safe.”
A weight settles in my chest as I remember the troubles I’ve brought to all the people I’ve been working with or befriended. “Oh.”
“It’s okay, Anna,” Keric says. “The Irontrees, as well as the larger orc community in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, will band together and keep the humans safe in Truckee. Meanwhile, I’m taking you to Maine and the orcs there will keep you safe.”
I exhale. “Does Ellie know that I was living under a fake name and I wasn’t who she thought I was?”
“Yes.”
“I need to call her and explain.”
“That will have to wait. We’re landing soon. There’s a bathroom in the back if you want to freshen up.”
“Oh god. I probably look like hell.” I touch my hair, noting it’s a disaster. My face feels oily and mascara is probably smudged everywhere. “Yes. Thank you.” I grab my go-bag and practically flee to the tiny bathroom at the back of the plane. When I flip on the light and see myself in the mirror, I wince.
Okay. Not as bad as I feared, but not great either.
I still wear the outfit I changed into at my apartment after the wedding—a sensible sweater, jeans and waterproof boots. These were good choices for running, decent enough for arriving at an orc commune in Maine, but my face remains smeared with the leftovers of the heavy makeup I wore for Ellie’s wedding. My short hair sticks up on one side, and I look exhausted.
The go-bag sits on the tiny counter. I unzip it and find my makeup bag right on top, exactly where I always pack it, along with my skincare routine, toothbrush and deodorant. The essentials of running. I’ve done this before and made myself presentable in gas station bathrooms, airport restrooms, anywhere I could find running water and five minutes of privacy. This bathroom is nicer than most.
I take off my glasses, give myself a double cleanse, pat my face dry and smooth on a Peptide serum and then my favorite daytime moisturizer that includes sunscreen. The familiar routine calms me. Then I floss and brush my teeth and put on deodorant. Now my skin is glowing, all I need is a little concealer under my eyes and a little cream blush. Just enough to look human again. My hair is hopeless, so I smooth it with some anti-frizz oil and hope for the best. It’ll have to do.
I stare at myself in the mirror. Short black hair. No-nonsense glasses. Sensible clothes. I look like Anna Kim, the invisible teacher. But I’m not her anymore, am I? I left her scattered across my apartment floor with those surveillance photos.Dr. Anna Lee, the note had said. My real name. The person I used to be before I learned to hide. Hmm. Maybe this means I can grow my hair out again.
I fish a mint out of my bag and pop it in my mouth. Then I take a breath and study my reflection and smile at what I see. Yes, I’m overweight. I wear plus size clothing. My face is round; my thighs rub together when I walk and there’s a roll in my back that won’t seem to go away. But you know what? I’m still cute as hell. And I’m with Keric, which makes everything better. The thought surprises me.With Keric.Like we’re a unit now. A team. I’ve never had a partner in this and it feels... good. I’m not as freaked out as I was last night when I first found out that my cover in Truckee was blown and ran for the bus station. Yes, I feel terrible about Ellie finding out from someone other than me, but I can call her later and hopefully she’ll understand. Today, I get to see this new location that Keric is taking me to, s place he’s so sure I can hide and remain safe.
I square my shoulders, grab my go-bag, and head back out.
Keric looks up when I emerge. His gaze travels over my face, down my body and back up again. Something heated flickers in his expression. “Better?”
“Much.” I slide back into my seat and buckle up. “Thank you.”
The plane starts its descent. My stomach swoops as we drop altitude. I grip the armrests and Keric notices immediately.
“You okay?”
“Fine. Just... processing.” I look at him. Really look at the massive green orc with twisted black horns and a crooked noseand eyes that see way too much. “At the bus station. You said I was your mate. Did that really happen, or did I imagine it?”
His jaw tenses. “It happened.”
