ALORA'S POV
The city lights slid past the tinted window of the car as we drove toward the airport. After the entire spa thing, we had a couple other outings together and through it all I felt better each time.
Finally making the decision to leave the country and never look back. I rested my chin in my palm and traced the cold fog into shapes on the glass with my finger. The road felt endless but my mind was clearer now.
Zara sat beside me, with her laptop on her thighs and phone on the car stand. her nails tapping on the keypad lightly. Nyla drove with one hand on the wheel, humming Ophelia under her breath. The music stayed on low.
"You good," Nyla asked, looking at me through the rear view mirror.
"Yes," I said. "If I say otherwise, do not believe me."
Zara snorted. "You see—that is growth."
I looked back out the window. "I keep waiting for fear to show up."
"And," Zara asked, "has it sent regrets."
"No," I replied. "It packed its bags early."
Nyla laughed. "Good. Because fear is annoying company."
The car slowed as traffic became worse near the terminal.
Zara finally looked up. "I still maintain that the first sign was his napkins."
I turned to her, almost laughing. "Are you being serious?"
"What, they were perfect folds," she said. "Every time. With no variation."
"That is not a crime," I replied.
"It is suspicious," Nyla said. "I spill sauce within five minutes."
"I fold napkins," I said.
Zara waved a hand. "You do not do it with pride."
I laughed out loud this time. And it surprised even me.
Zara leaned closer. "Are you sure about this?."
"Yes," I said. "If I stay, I disappear. If I leave, I get to exist."
Nyla nodded. "Then we drive faster."
At the private entrance, the security stepped in with skilled efficiency. No phones. No questions.
As we walked, Nyla glanced at me. "You look expensive."
"Do I," I asked.
"Exquistie vengefulness darling." Zara added, snapping her fingers like a Disney villain.
"I feel tired," I said.
"That passes," Zara replied. "Freedom comes with jet lag."
In the lounge, we sat together quietly for a moment.
"Text us when you land," Zara said.
"Or do not," Nyla added. "Disappear properly."
I hugged them both for a really long time. They are everything to me.
"I love you," I said.
"We know and we love you more," Zara replied. "Now go."
When they left, I sat by the window and stared at the runway lights. That was when the thought hit me.
Cassian never asked where I would go.
I smiled.
My phone buzzed, I looked at it, then looked away.
Unknown number.
It buzzed again.
"Pick up," I muttered to myself.
I answered.
"Are you still proceeding," a man asked.
His voice was calm, with that familiar British accent.
"Yes," I said.
"Once we begin, there is no return."
"I have no interest in return," I replied.
"You understand what this requires."
"I do."
He paused. "Say it."
"Proceed," I said.
The call ended.
Thirty minutes later, a woman approached with a polite smile.
"Miss Bennett," she said. "Your flight has changed."
She handed me a new boarding pass. No airline. No gate. Just a seat.
I accepted it and got moved to my new waiting point. The private plane was on a quiet strip preparing for take off.
No names were called. But I was directed to my seat. I settled into the seat and buckled in and a sense of relief spread through me—peace.
A stewardess approached and handed me a folded note.
I opened it.
You can leave. Ownership does not end.
I folded the note and placed it in my bag.
"No," I said. "It does."
I closed my eyes as the plane lifted and I did not look back.