Chapter 743 Chapter 743
Oaklyn watched out the window, waiting for them to take off. She’d never flown before. To her, it was exhilarating. She couldn’t wait to see things from above. They were flying first class, which surprised her. It would help their fake life, but she hadn’t expected it. In the last few days, the Alliance had come up with a passport and ID for her in her new fake name and an entire wardrobe. What she was going to do with those clothes after this, she had no idea, but even trying them on from time to time was going to make her feel special.
Zain was watching down the aisle. Oaklyn sucked in a breath. She’d forgotten their reality. She didn’t have to ask what he was watching for. He’d done it on the drive to the airport and while they were waiting to board. The one thing she knew was no one looking for her was going to be on an airplane, but Zain—he trusted that nowhere was safe.
She glanced around to see if anyone was near them and then reached over and touched his arm. “Relax. We’re okay on here.”
He looked at her, and she could see the worry in his eyes. “I won’t relax until all of this is over.”
She nodded and then unbuckled and got up. “Switch with me. If you’re facing the door, then you at least won’t get a crick in your neck watching for someone who’s not there.” She could see the vein pulsing in his neck and knew he was deeply stressed about this. He didn’t say a word, but still nodded and got up and switched seats with her. What he didn’t know was once they were in the air and allowed to move around, she’d be taking that seat back so she could look out the window again.
She got comfortable and tried to think of something to distract him from the unblinking stare at the entrance area. “I had no idea the Alliance was so well prepared.”
Zain looked at her briefly. “For what?”
She smiled. “Seems like everything, Bill.”
He did look at her this time. “Oh. That.” He nodded. “They’ve had to find ways around a lot in the last few years.”
“My grandma used to tell me about when her mother lived right among the one-forms.” She watched him look at her. “Do you think it will ever be that way again?”
His brows drew together. “It was until last year.” He cocked his head to the side. “Wasn’t it in your clan?” He looked around quickly after saying the word clan.
Turning, she saw there were only four others in the first-class area. None of them seemed to even notice they were there. Turning back to him she shook her head. “No. We were always separate and hidden.”
His eyes widened. “I’m glad I asked Devin to look into your clan. Something is not right.” She watched him take a deep breath and then blow it out. For the next few minutes, he inhaled slowly and then blew it out. She realized he was trying to scent the others in this cabin. That was going to be hard to do. All she could pick up was the last dozen or so that had used the seats they were in. She didn’t know how the airline cleaned after each flight, but with the information from her animal, she was betting it wasn’t as thorough as they thought.
“I’ll go for a wander once we take off.”
His eyes snapped back to her. “A little late once we’re in the air.”
He really was that worried. “Well, shoot.” She undid her seatbelt and then glanced back to see if any of the flight attendants were there. One was. She reached over, picked up the headset from the holder, and got up. Before she turned around, she twisted one side of it until it popped off. Pasting her best, friendly smile on her face, she winked at Zain and then walked toward them. She would have to walk by the others to reach them.
“Excuse me.” She gave the man in the seat a polite nod on her way by him. The flight attendant gave her a wonderful customer service smile. She held up the headset. “Would I be able to get a new pair?” She almost felt bad about breaking them when the smile faded.
“Of course. I’ll just be a moment.” She took them and walked down the aisle.
Oaklyn stood there for a second and then smiled at the couple staring at their phones. She inhaled and let her animal know she was needed to assess the scents. “Ya’ll goin’ home for the holidays?”
The woman glanced up from the screen and nodded.
One-form was the results. Nothing off or familiar. She had learned last year that if you detected the smell of a shifter on a one-form, it was a big old red flag and you needed to exit fast. “That’s nice.” Oaklyn nodded and turned so she could see the man she’d gone past. “I didn’t check the weather for when we land. Do you think it will be cold?” Another deep breath.
It took him a moment to realize she was talking to him. “Uh, I haven’t looked either.”
Someone needed to learn how to apply cologne. An entire bottle was too much. She had to work to not grimace. Her animal wasn’t happy about it either. Shoot. That was going to make sussing out the last man impossible if they couldn’t smell. “Well, I packed everything warm that I own.” she laughed. It wasn’t a lie. All her new and old clothes were in the suitcases.
The flight attendant came back with a new headset. “Here you are.”
“Oh, thank you so much.” Oaklyn smiled and turned around. She looked at Zain as she walked back. The concern on his face was very plain. She was going to have to talk to him about acting any way other than how he felt.
“Mrs. Jeggins.”
She stopped and turned and was relieved to see Bear standing beside the flight attendant. He looked so different in a suit.
“I have Mr. Jeggins’ briefcase, ‘mam.” He held up a black briefcase.
“Oh, thank you.” She couldn’t remember what name they’d given him. “We’d be lost without you.” She nodded at the flight attendant.
“You’ll need to be seated. We’ll be taking off in five minutes.” She told Bear.
“Yes, ‘mam.” He nodded and then walked toward Oaklyn. He looked past her at Zain and held up the briefcase. Something was up. This was not previously arranged. Zain hadn’t been given a briefcase. “Mr. Roman updated the files, sir.”
Oaklyn waited for him to pass and then followed him to her seat.
“Good,” Zain said but was looking at Bear when he held out the case. “I was hoping he would before we left.” He seemed relieved.
Bear nodded and then turned around. “Everything checks out.” He said quietly as he went by her. Oaklyn watched him go back through the curtain and then looked at Zain.
“Illias?” She sat down.
“Yeah. He said he’d get it to me somehow.” He put the case on his lap and opened it.
Oaklyn leaned forward so she could see in it.
Zain smiled and then held up a sticky note. Keep this one locked up unless you’re using it. He turned the case so she could see a laptop in it. He moved the case and then held up a phone. He turned it so she could see the sticky note on it. Call when you land. New info available. Zain tucked the phone into his jacket and closed the case.
“I don’t suppose he put a happy face on a note in there somewhere?”
Zain shook his head.
Oaklyn nodded. She remembered they weren’t alone. “He’s very good at his job.”
“Yes.” Zain looked at the aisle.
Oaklyn did up her seatbelt and blew out a breath. So much for enjoying the flight. New information could mean anything good or bad. She glanced at Zain and hoped for his sake it wasn’t bad. She didn’t think he could handle any more bad in his life right now. If she were wound as tight as he was, she would have popped a few springs by now.