My voice got very tight. “That may be difficult considering I’d need permission from the council to bring her over.”
I doubted any of them would give it. Our line was already considered too powerful. They wouldn’t want us adding to our ranks. Even if, as the youngest, I was the least threatening.
Thomas waved my objection away. “You forget. Ahrun is back. Permission is only a formality.”
From the sounds of it, he already had my future planned. Right down to who I would change over first. I was pretty sure I didn’t like that. And I had no compunction about letting him know my feelings on the matter.
Sensing the situation deteriorating, Deborah gave a nervous twitter, latching onto my arm to guide me away. “Once again, thank you for the offer of the jet. We’ll be sure to consider it.”
“We will not,” I hissed.
This was the last favor I was ever asking of Thomas.
Deborah shoulder checked me. “Hush. Don’t you see I’m trying to save your ass. You’re acting like a twenty-five-year-old whose parents just asked when they can expect grandkids.”
Funny—that’s exactly what it felt like.
I turned to glare at Connor over my shoulder. “I want to know why he never ambushes you with these types of things.”
Connor looked around the aircraft with curiosity. “Because I would try to remove his organs.”
I faced forward, grumbling, “It’s not fair that always gives you an out.”
I wish I had something to threaten people with.
“Give it a few centuries,” Connor advised as Deborah found us a pair of unoccupied seats.
She shoved me into the row first, taking the aisle seat for herself.
The seating arrangements lived up to what you’d expect in a private jet. Each bucket seat came with its own mini table where you could set drinks or a laptop on. Best of all they allowed you to swivel and recline. A couch ran parallel to the cabin wall which was where Connor chose to settle.
While we were getting situated, I was aware of Thomas still watching us, an inscrutable expression on his face. There was a minuscule lift at the corners of his lips that was almost mocking. As if he knew something I didn’t.
It made me wonder if his insinuation regarding Deborah’s transition was an attempt to get under my skin. A punishment of sorts for lying to him about Caroline and our reasons for visiting Vegas.
If so, it had worked. Also, it meant he was aware that something was up. Maybe not everything but definitely more than was good for us.
A commotion came from the front of the plane as Drake and another human boarded.
“What are you doing here?” I blurted, surprise making me slip.
Thomas looked over at me in interest. “Is there a problem?”
Connor shifted, drawing my attention. He gave a minute shake of his head, warning me against saying anything.
As if I would. As paranoid as Drake made me, he was still family. I may not have accepted him yet or known what to do with him, but I wasn’t going to throw him to the wolves. It was why I’d kept silent on his status as a hunter even to my nearestand dearest. Once certain information was out, it was a lot harder to put back in the bag.
He was safe. For now.
Only the slightest elevation in Drake’s pulse showed he wasn’t as sanguine about the situation as he was pretending. A fine tension had invaded his limbs as he lingered in the hatchway.
I didn’t know what it said about me that I enjoyed his discomfort as I shook my head. “Nope. Not a thing.”
Drake regained his bravado. “Aileen is just a touch salty that Connor was contemplating taking on a companion without informing her.”
Sure, Drakey. Whatever you have to tell yourself to get by.
Thomas looked over at his son. “Is this true?”
