Page 134 of This Blood that Bonds Us

The Family had been waiting for me at the airport like they’d known I would just show up. I’d bought my ticket and took my passport. Four guys dressed in all-black suits waited beyond the gate with a change of clothes for me.

“This way, sir.”

I followed them as we boarded a small plane. I’d never been called sir before. Like I’d never been on a plane before, but I wouldn’t say that.

I wasn’t entirely sure how to talk to them, even though the two looked to be around my age. They didn’t let me have the window seat and chose to sandwich me between them. I wondered if they thought I’d make a run for it.

I let my mind wander as their silence dragged on. Mostly of home. Of Kimberly. Of saying everything but goodbye.

“So, dinner. Your place. Two weeks,”I’d said.

“I’ll cook your favorite.”

Mom wiped a tear, and I buried her in a hug. It was hard to leave when she hadn’t stopped crying since Presley left, but she had a community to support her and a boyfriend to hopefully keep her occupied. I knew she’d wait for my call though. Her number was already memorized.

“Bring your brothers with? I’ll have plenty of room at the table. I’ll finally let you use the good china.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Kimberly had a vise grip on my mom’s arm, keeping her upright. Mom was doing an equal amount of comforting by rubbing Kimberly’s back.

It was harder than I thought to keep the smile on my face for them, but they needed me to be braver than I’d ever been. Brave like Luke had been for us all those years while his life crumbled. Luke’s radiant smile gave me strength when Kimberly squeezed my neck like she’d never let go.

He’d done it for me. I could do it for them.

“Okay, I’ll see you across the ocean, then?”

She nodded. I still smiled at her, knowing the next time I saw her she wouldn’t be safe.

“You’ll find me.”

The plane’s turbulence snapped me out of the memory, and I went to grip my armrests but both were occupied.

“How long till I see my brothers?” I asked the man beside me.

“About ten hours.” The tall one spoke, never once looking at me.

“It’s all of them, right? Zach, Luke, and Presley?” I asked. You know, in case I allowed myself to be taken by a different cult that dressed in black and waited for me at the airport.

He simply nodded.

“What else can you tell me?”

“We’ve been waiting for you,” the other one said, staring out the window at the ground below.

That I already knew.

Sixty-Two

Kimberly

Our time in Alaska was over—at least for now. And as I stared out onto the field of snow, I knew I’d miss it. Though it had been without a doubt the most challenging months of my life and Iwas tired of snow melting into my socks, leaving brought a lump into my throat.

Aaron actually believed I’d let him go by himself. I smiled at the thought. After a couple hours, I’d felt the hollowness of his absence. Once, I’d grown so accustomed to doing everything on my own, but I looked over my shoulder wishing he were there to wrap his arm around me again. The absence of his support and warmth felt unnatural.

“Are you ready?” Kilian placed a passport in my hand.

I slid my sunglasses on. The illuminating glare from the snow and the metal of the small charter plane would have been enough to put me on my knees a few months ago. Now it was just mildly annoying.