Page 105 of Aviatrix

I don’t know the way, so I let him lead.

Once we reach his office, he shuts the door and motions to the chair across from his desk.

I sit. He sits. We stare at each other, so much unsaid. Years of baggage etched into the lines of his face and mine. But we don’t have time for that. We have to set it aside, heavy as it is. We have bigger things to face. Mom. The aliens. The Legion.

I don’t want to trust Lark, but I’m going to try.

“My mom was moved inland,” I begin. “I told her to come here. I don’t know where she is now, but I need to find her.”

“I’ll have my people track her down.”

“Thank you.”

“When did the aliens contact you again?”

“Oklahoma,” I say. “After a gray ship tailed me and tried to attack. We diverted to keep the integrity of the Colorado base. I believe the aliens used a powered-off computer to reach me.”

“How?”

“We had a brief video call with the General.” I rub my throbbing temples. “I assume they used that connection to reach me.”

“What did they say?”

I breathe through my nose as nausea curls in my stomach. “They want me to find the Legion. They said if I don’t… they’ll come for me next.”

Lark mutters a curse under his breath. “You should’ve told me the second you landed. About the gray ship, too.”

“If you haven’t noticed,” I snap, more sharply than intended, “I’ve had a lot going on.”

“Sucking face with your ex-boyfriend?” he fires back.

I place both hands on the desk, grounding myself. “It was one kiss.” Well. Two. But I’m not telling him that.

Lark leans back, arms crossed. “Funny how Major Kopelman has the freedom to come and go as he pleases. General Salamander’s given him untouchable clearance. Do you know why?”

I frown. “No. Do you?”

“No,” he says flatly. “But he’s been with you both times the aliens made contact. You don’t find that suspicious?”

My head aches. I don’t know what to think. Is it suspicious? Maybe. But it’s Eli.

“I find a lot of things suspicious, Lark, but I trust Eli with my life.”

He smirks.

“What?” I ask, exasperated.

Lark shakes his head. “I always knew that if it came down to it, you’d choose him.”

“I’m not choosing anyone,” I say.

“I thought if he stayed away long enough…” Lark trails off, quiet. “Eventually, you’d let him go.”

I frown. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” he mutters, then adds, “I know I don’t have the right to ask you this, but… can you not throw your new relationship in Amber’s face? Or mine?”

Guilt curls in my chest.