Page 180 of Aviatrix

I don’t fully understand, but I let it go as Gary approaches. He looks me straight in the eye, no trace of guilt for lying to me.

“Phantom and Fox are securing a vehicle,” Gary reports. “Riot and Torque are fueling up,” he adds, motioning to Lark’s old buddies. “They’ll patrol the skies while we’re on the ground.”

“There was static when we landed,” I say.

“Comms are down,” Gary explains. “Touchy. We’ll be going in dark.”

“Are we sure this is a good idea?” Thea asks, worry lacing her words.

I exhale. “What choice do we have?”

She nods. “You’re right.”

“You and Fox will be in the air,” Gary tells her. “Keep the alien ships back as long as you can. You can’t fly over the Pentagon, so stick to the boundary lines.”

“Will do,” she says with a sharp nod.

“The rest of us will be on foot.” Gary sighs. He knows it’s a death sentence. We all do.

“How are we getting in?” I meet Gary’s gaze head on.

Gary swallows hard. “Let me worry about that. Any questions?” he asks the team, taking lead.

Lark crosses his arms, his expression cold and unreadable. This is Mission Lark. Nothing will get in the way of what he’s here to do—save his daughter.

“I have one,” I speak up. “How are we getting out of here if we make it?”

Gary chuckles. “Run like hell, Nova.”

Run. Got it.

“Anything else?” He glances around. No one says a word. He continues, “Alright. We’ve got thirty-three minutes until the imminent alien attack. We’re cutting it down to the wire.”

I follow behind Gary and Lark as they head toward the hangar. Gary has me park VAL inside, locking her up tight.

When we finish securing her, Eli and Scooter pull up in a tan Humvee. I shake my head. We’re not getting in unnoticed. Not in that thing. But I keep that thought to myself.

“Ready?” Eli asks.

Scooter fist bumps me. “Good luck, Nova.”

“You, too,” I say as he hurries toward his jet.

Gary claims the front passenger seat, which leaves Lark and me in the back. I’m sure Lark is thrilled.

“Do we have a plan to get in?” Eli asks as we head out, the wind whipping through the open windows, tugging strands of hair from my ponytail.

“Seeking refuge?” Gary offers.

Eli shrugs. “That should work.”

Lark still hasn’t said a word. He just stares out the window like the world’s ending and he’s already accepted it.

I should say something to him, but his words echo in my head.

I can’t keep choosing you, Kin.

Has he ever considered that maybe I don’t want to be chosen by him? That all his choices end in heartbreak for me?