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“Alena’s condition remains critical. They’re waiting for her to stabilize before they take her into surgery,” said El.
“I want her out of Dubai, Typhon.” Dagger’s eyes bored into mine. “I want her somewhere secure. Whatever you have to do. Whatever favors you have to call in. I want the best transport and the best medical team traveling with her.”
“Understood.”
When Dagger sat down, Eliza led me toward the aft of the plane. “It’s her spine, Levi. I spoke directly with her surgeon. He recommends stabilizing her enough for medical transport to Germany. There’s a specialist at the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, who he believes can save her life as well as make sure she can one day walk again.”
I nodded, unable to speak until El reached up, cupped my cheek, and said, “What else needs to be done, Levi? How can I help?”
“It will be easier for Z to make the arrangements from London.”
Eliza nodded, and I called him.
Less than twelve hours after we’d landed in Dubai, we were on our way to Germany, where we remained with Dagger while Alena underwent two consecutive surgeries followed by the start of intense physical therapy.
I was thankful every day that Eliza was with us. I had no idea how the three of us would’ve managed without her, Alena in particular.
After a few days, she insisted El and I go home. She’d suggested her brother do so as well. However, I knew he wouldn’t.
“When she’s released, Alena wants to return to Switzerland,” El said to Dagger when we were leaving for the airport. She handed him a piece of paper. “That’s where she wants to stay.”
He glanced at it and nodded, then we embraced and said goodbye.
“I feel like we’ve been gone for months,” El said on the flight to the UK.
“Would you like to remain in London for a few days or return to Brighton straightaway?”
“Brighton first, but then, I’d like to return to the city for the holidays.”
I snuggled her close to me. “How do you typically celebrate Christmas?” I asked.
Eliza’s eyes filled with tears.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It isn’t you. Nigel and Millicent were never big on the holiday.”
“This year, you and I will make our own traditions,” I said, brushing a tear from her cheek.
She smiled. “I’d like that very much, Levi.”
I knew exactly what I’d give her, and when I did, I prayed she’d say yes.
27
TYPHON
The day after we returned to Brighton, I traveled to Shere to see Oleander. Verity had given me permission to update no one but her, Nemesis, and Z. He and I had exchanged messages, but when I requested a call, he responded that it would be best if we talked in person. I was hoping to make that happen later today.
As for Nemesis, I tried to avoid her, so I’d asked O to meet with me on our own, not at the coalition command center. Until I spoke to Z directly, I couldn’t see her. If I discovered she’d been aware he was missing when she rang me on my way to Portugal, her days would be numbered. Not only with the coalition and SIS, but she’d be the next person on my hit list.
“You seem different,” O said after inviting me into the home she and Poseidon shared.
When I laughed out loud, she folded her arms.
“What?”
I rested my elbow on the kitchen table where she’d invited me to sit with her and leaned closer. “It seems both of us have undergone a personality transformation. From what I understand, love will do that.”