Twenty minutes turns to thirty.
“If we had the number, we could call it,” I say.
“If it’s still working, we’ll hear it. Damn thing vibrates like a sex toy, it goes off so much.” There’s a slight smirk on his face.
“You feel it too.”
“Damn straight. We need Kieren to perform the ceremony.”
“He’s got a lot going on with Aisling.”
“The queen’s just pushing him. She’s had enough of the prophecy too. She’s wanted it over as much as us. We’re needed back at home. We’re not like the Firested, living on Earth and never going home. Crest Wing gives us our power. Don’t you feel it? The longer we stay here, the more we’re drained.”
“That was eight sentences.” A damn encyclopedia for Roark.
He glares at me.
“Yes, I feel it too.”
“I’d prefer our thunder didn’t rule. I’ve said that for a long time. But now that we’ve found her, what the hell is he thinking, not doing the ceremony tomorrow? Fuck, if he doesn’t have time to talk to her, we sure as hell aren’t doing it. You need to talk to him,” Roark says.
“I talk to him all the time. It will be more powerful coming from you.”
19
RAINE
Iate as quickly as I could. Rapidly enough that I’m on my way out the door when Leo comes out of the butler’s pantry. “Would you like some coffee?”
“Yes, but I really need to get started. I’ll get it later, if that’s okay? Thank you.” I smile.
“I’ll bring some to you shortly.”
“Oh, it’s okay. It’s a long walk. But?—”
“I insist.” He smiles at me.
“Okay. See you in a while.” I wave and head to the south wing to the vault. Which isn’t so much a vault as a former banquet hall.
I push open the door. It feels like home already. That’s weird, right? It’s hard to believe I was here yesterday. It feels like so long ago. I long to talk to my sister. I was really hoping they’d find my phone and would leave it out for me in the dining room or hanging from my doorknob. I tried the “find my phone” button on my watch, but nothing. It’sokay. I’ll see about going into town later today to get a new one.
I flick on the lights and open the blinds. It’s not good for the art, but I need it today. I’m going to need all of Wren’s grounding tips. I flick the separate lights on in the alcove, but something’s different. There’s a bag next to the computer. I open the paper handles. Inside is a box with the latest phone. No, it’s not the latest phone—it’s the one that’s not released until September. There’s a note written on a small piece of paper taped to the top of the box.
Dear Raine,
I am beyond sorry. We found your phone. It was destroyed. But the techs in Zurich were able to retrieve your data and put it on this new one.
Kieren Alder
And there’s a loopy pattern underneath his name that looks like HRH.
Hmm. I glance at my watch in my pocket: it’s eight-thirty. Zurich is two hours away by train.They have wings, Raine. A shiver takes over me. Wings. Right. But it’s eight-thirty.
The door opens behind me. “It’s eight-thirty,” I say, holding the box in front of me like that will clarify why I announced the time.
“You are correct,” Leo says, placing the tray on a beautiful table pushed against the wall. There’s a clear-glass-front mini fridge on a stand next to it. Glass bottles of water and sparkling seltzers are displayed inside. On the stand across from my desk, the printer is set up. And I’m guessing when I start my computer up, I’m going to find it’s working. The rest of the office has been tidied as well.
“How did anyone get the data off my phone, let alone so early?”
