“Hi, son,” Papa said. I barely hid a smile. Papa, all uniform, rules, and regulations, and Vortex, a law unto himself, and jeans and tees. Two totally different men who were beginning to build a relationship.
“Hey Phil. How’s the packing going?”
“Mine’s done. Duke’s trying to fit the fuckin’ kitchen sink in his suitcase,” Papa complained. Oh, shit, Dad probably was.
“Okay, go sort Dad out before he also tries to pack the house as well,” I said to Papa.
“Love you, kid,” he muttered.
“Love you, Amy!” Dad yelled from somewhere.
“Back at you both, love you too,” I replied and cut the call.
Vortex came and sat next to me. “You okay?”
“No. This damn thing is creating distance for everyone, and I hate it. I just want to return to normal, but I can’t. Honestly, I wish this were over,” I answered.
Vortex wrapped an arm around me. “It won’t be much longer.”
“Hope not. Hey, she’s asleep,” I murmured and began tracing his muscles.
Vortex grinned and bent his head to kiss me.
Arabella let out a wail.
“You’re kidding me?” I gasped.
“Cockblocker,” Vortex accused Arabella as he picked her up. Arabella snuggled into him, and the harsh planes of his face softened. Guess Arabella was a daddy’s girl, just like me.
Inglorious
“They won’t take it seriously?” I asked.
“No. And it’s soon. Not imminent, but soon. Aurora got the distinct impression he wants the survivors dead before trying again, but she’s not confident. But yeah, another zeppelin will be bombed,” Klutz said.
“What is his fuckin’ issue with them? Could she identify which?”
“Yes. She saw a city in the clouds. It looked Greek. Aurora is certain it’s the Olympus of the Skies.”
“I’ll speak to the Feds, not that I think they’ll listen to me either.”
“Inglorious, it’s another three hundred people at risk. We’ve got to try something,” Klutz stated urgently.
“If this fails, get Drake to contact Winslow or Wainwright,” I suggested.
“Drake’s not available,” Klutz replied.
Shit, what did that mean? Did I ask? “Ace?”
“Yeah. Ace is around.”
“If you need to, Klutz, call Phoe and have her phone Wainwright direct.”
“Speak soon,” Klutz said and cut the line.
My door opened, and Vortex entered. “What’s up?”
“Aurora-Victoria had another vision. She witnessed a second zeppelin go up. The Olympus of the Skies, this time. But before that happened, she saw Merritt and Amy pushing a pram. Someone makes a cry for help from the alley leading to the school, and Amy goes to help and is taken.”
