Flight

“Any chance you can teach me how to fight like that?” I knew I was in shock, because the fact that a guy had held a gun on us hadn’t quite set in yet. My mind could however, handle Hailey’s awesome moves.

“No, it’s not really something I can teach.”

“You’re incredible.”

“Tell my brother and his friends that. I’m the resident weakling. Wait until you see the others in action.”

I could only imagine what Levi must be like.

Hailey dropped me off out front of the hotel.

“Thanks for an, um, interesting night,” I said, opening my door before grabbing my bag from the back.

She laughed. “I’m glad you still have a sense of humor. I’ll see you soon.”

“Night!”

The reality of the danger we’d been in finally hit me as I entered my room. I checked the locks on my door and balcony twice before getting ready for bed.

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest when I heard a faint knock on the balcony door. After a moment, I realized that no one trying to break in would knock. I tentatively pulled back the curtains to reveal Levi, wearing a white tank that must have allowed room for his wings. Opening the door, I wordlessly ushered him in.

“What are you doing here?” I snapped, well aware that my cami and shorts pjs left little to the imagination. Levi seemed to realize it too because it took him a moment to respond.

“I heard what happened and wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I’m fine.” I certainly wasn’t about to admit that I was glad for his presence, but I decided to take the attitude down a notch. “But it was thoughtful of you to come.”

“Well, I’m glad you decided to let me in tonight, last time you practically slammed the door in my face.” He grinned.

“I guess tonight’s your lucky night.” The second the words left my mouth I regretted them, especially as I watched his eyes widen. “Um, scratch that. Not lucky in that way.”

Figuring that honesty was probably the only way I was getting my proverbial foot out of my mouth, I admitted to my fear. “Fine, I’m glad you’re here. Tonight was pretty scary. I mean Hailey took care of the situation quickly but I’ve never had someone pull a gun on me before.” Admitting it out loud made it more real and I started to shake.

“It’s okay. I promise that guy has been taken care of.”

“What do you mean?” I wasn’t sure that I wanted to hear the answer.

“He’s been apprehended. Leave it at that.”

“Okay…”

“Come here.” Levi sat down on the couch, opening his arms up to me. Without hesitating I snuggled into him, leaning my head on his chest. His warm skin felt good against mine as he gently kissed the top of my head.

“It’s normal to be scared. Not everyone is like Hailey and can just let something like that slide. Don’t fight it.”

I didn’t say anything; I just let him hold me.

“Do you want me to stay?” he asked quietly.

I wanted to take him up on it, but my pride wouldn’t let me. “No, I’ll be fine.”

“If it makes you feel any better, this hotel is probably the safest place in the city.” He didn’t press his offer further and I appreciated it.

“Oh.” Remembering the secret rooms beneath the hotel, I figured that security was probably pretty good. “It does make me feel better.” I picked my head up from his chest, and smiled to let him know I was okay.

“Call me if you need anything or you just want to talk.” He stood up and walked toward the balcony door before pausing. “Thanks, by the way.” He grinned sheepishly and I was afraid to take the bait.

“For?”

“The image. I was wondering what you slept in. Goodnight, Al.” As usual, he suddenly took off before I could respond. I didn’t mind his comment, he had been attempting to lighten the mood and it worked.

“Goodnight, Levi,” I whispered even though I knew he couldn’t hear me.

Chapter Twelve

“What kind of party are we going to?” I asked while slipping into the passenger seat of Hailey’s jeep. When she called me during work to see if I was free, I thought it was to hang out like usual. I wasn’t expecting a party, especially not one that came with warnings.

“Well, you might be the only human there, but I guess there could be a few others.”

“Lovely. You do realize how weird it is when you say things like that, right?”

She laughed. “Uh-huh, but you’ll get used to it. Just be careful who you talk to, and don’t go off alone with anyone, okay?”

“Really? Because I was planning on going home with some random guy tonight.”

“Seriously, Allie, these guys aren’t the type to mess around with. Not to mention I’d have my head served up on a platter if you did that.”

“You do realize I was joking, right?”

“Yeah, but I just wanted to emphasize how important it is that you’re careful.”

“If it’s so dangerous, then why are we going?”

“Because it’s going to be a good party, and I know for a fact my brother and his friends won’t be there.”

“Okay, good enough reasons.”

“I’m glad, because I wasn’t going to turn around even if you didn’t like them.” She gave me a cheeky grin.

Something about Hailey’s expression reminded me of Owen, so I decided to ask a question that I’d been mulling over for a while. “Can I ask you something about your brother?”

“My brother? Sure…”

“Why is he single? I mean I haven’t seen him even flirt with anyone.”

“So you noticed? Yeah, he got hurt pretty badly and hasn’t dated since. I think he’s too scared of being that vulnerable again.”

“Why, what happened?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

“He met a girl freshman year, Chloe. They got pretty serious, and he planned to propose to her.”

“He wanted to get engaged at what, 19 years old?”

“Yeah, I know, pretty young. But anyway, he knew before he could ask her he had to tell her the truth about who we are, and well, let’s just say she didn’t take things as well as you did.”

“She broke up with him when she found out he was a Pteron?” It’s not that I could blame her, it was shocking, but at least for me it was also incredibly cool.