“I'm still not telling you,” he gave me a little grin.
“Well, if you fought in the war, you're older than my father,” I mused and then frowned. “That's kind of gross.”
“It would be if Ilookedolder than your father,” Tiernan chuckled.
“They found the plane!” Councilman Teagan stood and shouted.
“They what?” I sat forward, dislodging Cat, who had been fast asleep across my feet.
“What about the raven mockers?” Raza asked immediately.
“No, I'm sorry,” Teagan tucked his phone away. “It's just the empty plane but at least we have a lead to investigate. Now who wants to go to New Mexico?”
“As long as the plane isn't piloted by an extinguisher, I'm in,” Sarah smirked.
Chapter Forty-One
The Human Council's plane was found in a dry stretch of land between Roswell and Artesia, New Mexico. Artesia had an airport so we were able to arrive pretty close to our destination. We were met by an extinguisher team who then drove us to the abandoned plane.
It crouched in the dry grass like an injured animal, left to die by a cruel master. The main windows stared mournfully at us as our SUV pulled in front of the plane. I jumped out of the vehicle and made my way over to it, cocking my head to look at the deflated ramp hanging forlornly from the open door like the tongue of an overheated hound dog.
“I sense no weather magic here,” Tiernan stared around the bleak place.
“Which lends credence to the theory that this was a team,” Teagan narrowed his eyes on the plane and then turned to the extinguishers who had discovered it. “What did you find on board?”
“We haven't gone inside yet,” one of the men said. “Orders were to wait for you, Councilman.”
“Right,” Teagan sighed. “I suppose we'll need to send someone for a ladder then.”
“Not necessary,” Tiernan said as he escorted me forward.
I knew exactly what he was about, so I put my arms over his shoulders and hugged him tight as he used air magic to lift us up to the level of the door. I climbed aboard and Tiernan motioned to Ainsley. Sir Ainsley went over to Councilman Teagan and motioned towards the plane.
“Uh, that's alright,” Teagan smiled nervously. “I think I'll let the Ambassador handle this.”
“I would like to see the plane,” Sarah stepped forward. Ainsley straightened and then bowed before offering her his arm. “Oh, how sweet,” Sarah laughed and took the offered arm.
He escorted her to the plane but when she reached for his shoulders, he swept her up into his arms instead of merely holding her by the waist. I shook my head at the antiquated advances of my knight and went further into the plane as Ainsley lifted Sarah up into the cabin. A few seconds later, Jennifer Wasutke joined us as well.
Inside, the plane was eerily quiet and nearly empty. I say nearly because there was still one passenger on board. The pilot. Extinguisher Nolan Kavanaugh was belted into a seat, his arms hanging limp at his sides and his sightless eyes staring straight ahead. His face was set in a rictus of fear, so chilling that goosebumps lifted on my arms.
“Well that's interesting,” Sarah said from behind me.
“Interesting?” Ainsley asked in horror.
“Sir Ainsley, can you notify Councilman Teagan that we've found the body of Extinguisher Kavanaugh?” I asked gently.
“Yes, Princess,” Ainsley headed back to the door in obvious relief.
“There's not a mark on him,” Sarah said as she looked over the body. “I believe this man was scared to death.”
“It takes a lot to scare an extinguisher,” I narrowed my eyes on the body. “Are you sure there are no wounds?”
“Absolutely,” Sarah stood, setting her hands to her hips.
“Lack of wounds can mean several things,” Elder Wasutke shook her head. “They could have healed him, as we do our victims after we take a heart.”
I set wide eyes on her, surprised that she would say something that might incriminate her own people.
