Mau asked, “What about summer school?”
“I’m going to fail anyways.”
“Again?” The tiniest hint of pity shone in her face. I tried not to let it faze me.
“Okay, just admit it.” I held the crushed pack to my chest. “You don’t think I’m cut out for this.”
“Of course we do, Riv.” Mau gave me a sympathetic pat on my arm and glanced at her girlfriend. “You have our support. But it doesn’t mean we fully agree. How do you know Gaia will help? If your watchtower is locked, wouldn’t hers be, too?”
“Look. I couldn’t stop the attack at Crescent Rock; I can’t bring those werewolves back to life.” My voice cracked. “I can’t fix what I’ve ruined. I can’t alter the past. But what if I can change what happens next?”
“Alright.” Shanley spoke softly. “How can we help while you’re gone?”
I exhaled shakily. “Who’s in charge in place of Ivan?”
“Elder Jesalynn.”
“And no one’s seen Chet?” I asked as I dumped the pile of clothes into my backpack.
They both shook their heads.
Damn. I’d been seriously hoping he’d be part of the body count. “For now, I’d station some extra lookouts. Especially in your district, Shanley. Anyone who’s friends with me, is an enemy to Chthonia. They’ll do whatever they can to get to me—to get to my Source—as we’ve seen…”
Shanley stood from her chair and cracked a window. A rush of air circulated through the room. “Got it.”
“Other than that,” I swallowed against the dryness in my throat, “tend to your pack. I know they’re hurting. I know you’re hurting.”
Mau gave me a tight smile. “We will.”
“What about your dad?” Shanley raised a brow. “He cannot possibly know that you’re doing this.”
With gritted teeth, I flashed her a smile. “Can you help with that? He likes you.”
She buried her face in her hands. “Yeeeaaahhh, he’s going to hate me after this.” Peeking through her fingers, she asked, “when do you leave?”
“Tomorrow. There’s a flight at noon.” Snatching a corduroy hat off my dresser, I popped it on my head. “Then I’ll find a hostel, go to the lighthouse, track down Gaia… and stop a war?”
“You make it sound so easy,” Mau teased.
“I think the closest pack to Iceland is in Finland, right, babe?” Shanley paused—waiting for Mau’s silent confirmation, I assumed. “Maybe they can give us a report on any weird activity or beings you should stay away from—like elves. I’ve heard a thing or two…”
“Perfect,” I said, hardly hearing her as I smushed another wetsuit into the bag. “Alright. I think I’m done packing. Now I just need to spend my life savings on this plane ticket.”
Mau delicately sorted through the top layers of fabric. “Girlie, have you even looked at the weather?”
Shanley leaned over. “Two wetsuits? What is this, an excuse for a surf trip?!”
“I can’t help it, I’m a water angel.” I laughed, playfully tossing the words right at Mau. “Surfing is in my blood. Iceland has swell! Now get!” I swatted them away with a smile.
As I buckled my backpack, my stomach twisted in a chaotic tumble of butterflies and nerves.
I was going to Iceland. I was going to find Gaia.
And nothing, no one, could stop me.
Part II
Angel of Darkness
