Page 11 of Beyond the Veil (Endangered Fae #4)

Chapter Five

Vampire - Classification: Magically altered human

Appoquinimink social scale: Varies according to the individual

While many governments still classify vampirism as a kelan structure disease, the Fae Collective recognizes this rare alteration as a unique class of human.

The difficulties of a hemovore assimilating into human society have been well documented, but vampires can and do act as respected, contributing members of several communities worldwide, given the proper social and legal support .

The Compendium of the Magically Sensitive , 4th Edition, Dr. Nathan Cooper

T he airport resembled every other one set up to receive private jets except for the squad of armed military types waiting for them in formation on the tarmac.

“I’d feel more comfortable if I spoke the language.” Diego had expected some sort of official greeting, but with no embassy car or diplomatic delegation in sight, this seemed more threat than welcome. “Kurt?”

“Could just be an honor guard, sir.” Kurt didn’t sound invested in the idea. “Captain says our translator’s on the way. I’d advise we hold off disembarking until we have a visual on him.”

“Good advice.” Diego turned to the flight attendant on his left. “Elaine, if it’s possible to delay, I’d prefer that door remain locked until we know what kind of reception’s waiting.”

“Yes, sir. Not a problem.”

If Elaine was worried, she hid it well. The Fae Collective hired the best and Diego knew this flight crew from before his exile, all seasoned professionals. He hoped he hadn’t landed them in an untenable situation.

“Golf cart,” Theo called out from his window spot.

Zipping across the tarmac at an impressive clip, a shaded cart brought a driver and a single passenger toward them. Diego just had time for a glimpse of a slender man in a summer-weight suit when his phone buzzed.

“Hello?”

“Mr. Sandoval? This is Anas Bakkal, from the Swiss embassy. Is everything all right?”

“Is that you in the golf cart?”

“Yes, I’m so sorry I’m late for your arrival. The ground crew tells me you’ve refused to disarm the door?”

“We don’t mean to alarm anyone with the delay, Mr. Bakkal, but there are guards with rifles out there. We weren’t certain of our welcome.”

“Again, my apologies. Shera’alej has implemented new airport security regulations. Charter planes must be searched upon landing. The security guards are here to accomplish the search, nothing more.”

“Just between us, Mr. Bakkal, in your estimation, are my staff and I at risk?”

A smile crept into Bakkal’s voice. “You and I both know there are always risks. But in this case, they should be minimal.”

The voice in Diego’s ear was so calm, so civilized and dry, he couldn’t help feeling a little ashamed at his reaction.

I’m trusting you, Mr. Bakkal. “Thank you. Please tell them we’re opening the door.

I’ll see you in a moment.” Diego turned to his assigned staff.

“The guards are part of customs procedures, here to search the plane. I’m not sure I like the sound of it, but I don’t think we have much choice. ”

Kurt, as senior security, took charge from there, ordering Theo and Jess up front as first out and taking the rear with Matt.

Limpet, now in a black security uniform with his hair tucked under a cap and his features under a glamour that made his ears and eyes appear human, fidgeted between Diego and Finn.

Elaine opened the door and heat slammed into them.

Even though they’d been forewarned that it was nearly a hundred and twenty degrees on the tarmac, the oppressive, heavy air was a shock to the system.

Theo hesitated at the top of the rolling stairs, most likely needing his eyes to adjust despite his wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Jess, bless her, waited patiently for him, then at his nod, they descended together, a wall of professional, purposeful black between Diego and the approaching squad of airport security.

At the foot of the stairs, a man in a khaki uniform with more gold than the others pointed to his left and began barking orders at Theo.

A few feet away, Mr. Bakkal appeared to be arguing vehemently with another member of the airport detail who held him back.

Theo and Jess stood fast, tense and wary, since they couldn’t determine what the man wanted.

Unable to reach them, Bakkal called out, “It’s all right, Mr. Sandoval! Please have your people move over to the left there! They want you to wait while they do the search.”

“All right, everyone,” Diego addressed his party, hoping his voice didn’t shake too badly. “Let’s move. Steadily. With purpose. Hands away from holsters and pockets.” He raised his voice to call over, “Luggage, too?”

“Yes, please! So sorry about all this! Please line your bags up on the ground where the sergeant is pointing!”

“Not exactly VIP treatment, sir,” Kurt muttered from the back.

“No, but let’s remember why we’re here and not antagonize anyone, please.”

Bakkal finally broke away from the guards and hurried over to them, breathless and nearly wringing his hands in agitation.

“I wish we could have briefed you, but the changes were sudden and we weren’t informed.

There will be a request for weapons permits before they go through the bags and I’m afraid your party will be frisked. I hope that’s not an issue.”

“Mr. Bakkal, I don’t think we have a choice. We do have female personnel with us and I don’t see any female guards. Would you ask them, please, how they propose to handle that?”

After more discussion and angry gestures back and forth, two female airport employees hurried from the terminal to separate Jess and Elaine from the group and take them behind a hastily erected screen while the men had to endure being frisked in the open.

Diego made no open protest, but the guard was too thorough for his liking.

“Could’ve bought me dinner first,” Matt muttered as his groin was patted down. “Probably won’t even call tomorrow.”

Diego shot him a sharp look. “Steady, gentlemen. Stay respectful, please. Anyone might be able to understand you.”

“What on earth are they looking for?” Finn asked as he raised his arms to have his sides patted down.

“Extra weapons not on the permits. Drugs. Explosives.”

Finn’s frown darkened. “Will they take your pills?”

The seizure meds had become something of an obsession for Finn. For the past three years, he had been the one to fly back to the sidhe court every three months to pick up the refill Zack brought in from Diego’s doctor.

“No, carino . They’re looking for illegal drugs, not prescriptions. I have that, too, if they need to see it.”

Permits checked and rechecked, several cell phone calls and a lot of shouting later, the guards moved on to the bags, pawing through the contents of each one and stuffing everything back in without much care.

Diego pulled at the collar of his dress shirt, beads of sweat sliding down his back. Beside him, Theo’s normally straight posture had crumpled, his shoulders hunched, his head down as if he could hide from the sun that way.

“Mr. Bakkal.” He waved the translator over again. “Isn’t there somewhere out of the sun we could wait? My staff isn’t acclimated to this heat.”

Another short flurry of short, sharp sentences with the officer in charge and Mr. Bakkal had to apologize again. They would not be permitted to move. “I’m sure it won’t be long,” he offered, though the anxious darting of his eyes said otherwise.

Diego leaned in closer. “Theo?”

“I’m all right, sir.”

“No, you’re not. But hang on the best you can.”

Twenty-five minutes later, security boarded the plane, presumably to make a mess in the cabin as well. Fifty-five minutes after they had disembarked, they still stood in the blazing sun. Diego mopped at his forehead. If I’m feeling woozy, I can’t imagine—

In complete silence, without a single word of complaint, Theo toppled. Diego lunged for him, but Finn was faster and caught him before he could hit the hot concrete.

“ Mierda .” Diego dropped to one knee beside them, patting Theo’s cheek. “Theo, mijo , can you hear me?”

“He’s warm,” Finn hissed close to Diego’s ear. “Aren’t Nightwalkers supposed to be cold?”

“Yes, damn it.” Diego stood, brushing off the knees of his dress pants. “Mr. Bakkal, I need to speak to the officer in charge. This is beyond unacceptable.”

The officer listened grimly, though he never once looked at Diego and never spoke directly to him.

Though this was a terrible breach of diplomatic etiquette, Diego’s points apparently hit home about the international press having a field day if American citizens died on the tarmac because of security delays.

They were allowed to gather their bags, with Finn carrying Theo, and retreat inside the terminal to wait for clearance.

Limpet dogged Finn’s steps, clearly concerned about their stricken vampire.

“It’s a game.” Diego cornered Bakkal in the arrivals lounge while the remaining security staff hovered nearby, their expressions ranging from exhausted to furious.

“What game are they playing? Was it to intimidate us? Humiliate us? Both? Were they hoping for some display of power from us so they could arrest us all?”

“All of those things could potentially apply.” Anas Bakkal drooped into a nearby seat. He hadn’t done much better out there than the Tearmann Island contingent. “We must also concede that this may have been an issue with unfamiliar new procedures.”

Diego nodded. Diplomacy meant biting his tongue and pretending certain things were a misunderstanding or an oversight or merely incompetence. “We’re not welcome. I understand that.”

Bakkal waved a hand. “They know perfectly well who you are, Mr. Sandoval, but they still agreed to meet with you since you have the support of the international community here. You’re not here for your own gain. Everyone understands that.”