Page 92 of Dark Rebel's Fortune

It would be very unfortunate if the borrowed disguise had been left behind. Especially if she hoped to discuss employment options with Eva and also ask for her help with another project she had in mind.

"I'm sure they didn't forget anything," Max said. "So, what will it be? A spy or a fighter?"

She chuckled. "I'm a fighter, and I also worked undercover. I'm keeping my options open."

"The Guardian Force would be lucky to have you, especially since we need someone with your knowledge of Iran if we decide to do something about theDoomers there. But don't decide right away. Give yourself time to explore, to discover what other things you might be interested in. Maybe you have artistic talents like your daughter."

She leaned her head on his arm. "That reminds me that you haven't sung to me other than that one time."

"Do you want me to serenade you now?"

She chuckled. "Not now. But maybe later, when walking is a challenge."

45

MAX

About twenty minutes before the entrance to the tunnel, the windows turned opaque, still allowing light in but obscuring the view outside. The transition elicited a few nervous murmurs from the back of the bus, but not as much as Max had expected.

It was quite impressive how quickly the family was adjusting to the new world unfolding before them.

"The children still don't know," Max said. "Are you going to leave it to their cousins to fill them in?"

"I don't know. Perhaps their mothers should do that."

Max leaned closer to Kyra. "Children have a way of sharing secrets, especially ones as exciting as this. Their cousins might do a better job of it than the mothers."

"I'm not sure 'exciting' is the word I'd use," Kyra said.

"From a kid's perspective? Finding out you might eventually develop superpowers? That's the definition of exciting."

Kyra's expression softened into amusement. "When you put it that way, I suppose it is. I just hope they understand the serious parts, too, and I don't even want to think about explaining the sexual part of the induction to the girls. In that regard, they lived very sheltered lives in Iran."

"They had access to the internet, right?"

She nodded.

"Then they are not as innocent as you think they are," Max said. "I mean knowledge-wise. I hope they didn't get adventurous and risk their lives for a few thrills."

She smiled. "Since they weren't caught, it doesn't matter now if they did or not. I'm kind of hoping that the older girls got some thrills."

Max pretended shock. "Who are you, and what have you done with Kyra?"

She laughed. "I'm loosening up, reminding myself to live life and enjoy it because now I can."

As they approached the final stretch of road before the hidden entrance to the village, Max felt a familiar sense of homecoming. The village held a special place in his heart. It was where he'd found purpose after centuries of aimless wandering, wherehe'd returned to the Guardian Force and finally felt like he belonged.

Now, it would be even better with Kyra by his side.

"We are almost there," he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Excited?"

"Nervous," she admitted. "Not for myself. I know that I'm going to love it there because that's where my Jasmine lives and where you are. But I'm anxious about my sisters and their kids and whether they will fit in."

"They will, and you know that. You're just overthinking everything."

Kyra let out a breath. "You are right." She leaned back in her seat.

"I'm always right." He did the same and closed his eyes as the bus entered the tunnel, and it got dark.