Page 18 of Anaki

“Hang on, love, I’ve got you,” I told her. I directed Luis to my side and handed him a blanket to hold, then pressed a button to recline herseat. Little did she know, with no takeoff, we could have her reclining and resting in no time.

Luis smiled, placed the blanket on his mom and motioned for her to sit up. She stared at me wide-eyed while I fluffed her pillow and put the eye mask just over her forehead.

I kneeled beside her, and because I could not resist her, I put my hand on her arm. She let out a sigh of relief, and I tilted my head as I watched her. Did she like my touch? She hasn’t pulled away, not yet, at least.

Luis tapped my shoulder. “What else?”

I shook my head and pulled the noise-canceling headphones from my lap. “Mama is going to take a nap while we visit the cockpit. I’ll tell you all about the magic there.”

Luis nodded excitedly.

Elena tried to sit up, but I squeezed her arm. “Love, nothing is going to happen to you or your son on this plane. He can’t go anywhere while we are up in the sky.”

“W-what?” she breathed and gazed out the window.

We were already in the air, the clouds rushing past us. By the way, Tajah was using her magic, we would be home in a few hours.

“H-how?”

“Magic.” I simply stated and urged her to lie back down. “Here is what I want you to do. I want you to sleep for me, okay? I don’t want to see any more dark circles under those pretty amber eyes of yours. I’m going to take care of you and your family.”

Her eyes went soft, and her hand clutched the armrest. “Why would you do that?”

Because I protect what is mine.

“That’s what the club does. Protects those who need it. Now, lie back. Put those on. I’ll take care of everything.”

Elena looked over at her grandmother, who nodded. She was smiling lovingly at her granddaughter. Silent words passed between them until my mate put on the sleep mask and headphones.

While my body ached to be near Elena, I stayed true to my word and took Luis to the cockpit. Beretta, Tajah’s mate, was inside, flipping through a magazine, and with an amused smirk on her face, beckoned us inside.

Tajah was in a mood. She didn’t particularly like Emm because she knew Emm had been hiding her true self all along. Emm was a bounty hunter and lied about who she was, but everyone in the club trusted Locke. Tajah wanted the club and everyone in it protected, and I could see her going against his word to protect what we have built.

Tajah’s face softened when she saw the young boy, however. She waved him over to the captain's chair to let him think he was flying the plane. Tajah’s power was so strong now because of her bonding to Beretta that there was nothing that would take this plane down.

“How are you so strong to hold up an entire plane?” he asked her.

Tajah smirked and got to his eye level. “I’ve practiced for many, many years. I grew up in a coven that demanded strict studies. However, no matter how much you practice, your power will never reach full potential until you have a bond.” Tajah glanced back at Beretta.

“A bond?” Luis blinked and stared up at her. “What’s that?”

“Have you heard of a soul mate?” Tajah asked.

Luis rolled his eyes. “Yeah, Abuela talked about it all the time. She took me out in the woods and did this naked dance on a full moon. She said I was going to have one, one day.”

Tajah stared at him and held onto the necklaces on her chest. “She did what now?”

Luis sighed dramatically. “She got naked and danced around a big fire. She held up some of her rocks—crystals. Chanted from a book that hasspells?” Luis rubbed his eyes. “I am not meant to see Abuela naked. I can still see her.” He gave us a terrified look.

Tajah sat up straight. “Where is his grandmother’s file?”

I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorway. “You mean you didn’t read any of the files?”

Tajah scoffed. “My job was to fly the plane, pick them up, and bring them back. I saw we had an old woman, a five-year-old and a cripple, I didn’t think—”

I snarled, and my hand darted out to grab Tajah’s throat. Streams of purple shadows came from behind her back to catch my hand. My dragon, already sensing the magic in the room, was on alert. The low guttural growl shook our body, and absorbed the magic through our skin.

Tajah gasped when my fingers wrapped around her neck.