I’d make an excuse. I never realized I missed those lazy Saturdays until now. I guess pending doom pulls on a person’s heartstrings.
Arik slid a gold rod between the cracks of the heavy, ornate doors that were only closed and locked after library hours. When he was done, he pulled them apart, revealing the red leather doors hidden behind them. He held one open as the others passed through. When I went by, he gave me his usual crooked grin. My stomach twisted.
Sinead raised her arms and twisted her hands. The lights flicked on across the room.
My heart sailed when I spotted Pop in the lobby. I ran over and flung my arms around him. He held me tight as we rocked in our silent embrace. An embrace that said what words couldn’t, that though he wasn’t my birth father, he was my pop, the one who mattered most.
“Did you have any problems getting here?” Arik asked Jaran.
“We ditched a hunter and then had to wait awhile for the street to clear, but other than that, no problems,” Jaran answered. “The library is as quiet as a tomb.”
Pop and I let go of each other. I noticed Nick stood off to the side by himself, and I sprung for him next. He wrapped his arms around me.
“Man, am I glad to see you,” he said. “The other Gia is driving me crazy.”
I giggled and released him. “Glad to see you, too. How are things going with Afton?”
“I’m over her.”
“What do you mean, you’re over her?”
Nick shrugged. “I like someone else–-you know.”
“No. I don’t know. I’ve been gone. Who exactly do you like?”
“Deidre.”
“But you just said she drives you crazy?”
His lips pulled into a mischievous grin. “Yeah, I guess it’s a good kind of insanity. It was weird at first, since she’s identical to you, but your personalities are way different.”
Really weird. “Wow. Thanks, I guess.”
“Excuse me, I have boyfriend duties.” He moseyed over to Deidre and Sinead, who were still holding each other. Deidre released Sinead and introduced Nick when he reached them. Sinead smiled as Nick slid his arm over Deidre’s shoulders. Pop shuffled over and introduced himself to Sinead.
Arik, grouped with Kale and Lei, tried to get a connection on a window rod.
Jaran came to my side. “It was quite brave of you to go with Kale to help Arik and the others.”
“Thanks for taking care of my friend.”
“It’s my duty.” Jaran’s eyes found Nick. “You know the way he dresses—I mean—well, I thought he preferred boys.”
I chuckled. “Most people think that about Nick at first because he’s into fashion, but he’s totally into the ladies.”
A flash of disappointment crossed Jaran’s face. “Well, should you need of anything, please feel free to ask,” he said.
Interesting. Is he attracted to Nick?
“Thanks, I will,” I said.
“Splendid. Excuse me,” he said and headed over to Arik’s huddle.
Afton cut across the room and gave me a tight hug. “Were you in a cat fight or what?” She snorted, pulling a piece of plaster from my hair. “You look like hell.”
“Thanks, just give it to me as it is. I hate when people sugarcoat things.”
Arik stood in the middle of the lobby. “All right, everyone. We’ll be leaving shortly. I haven’t been able to reach Asile. Sentinels, you know what that means.”
“Yep.” Demos carried in a large duffel bag and started handing out our helmets.
I stepped forward. “I’m a Sentinel, and I haven’t any idea what not hearing from Asile means.”
“You aren’t part of this, Gia,” Arik said. “You haven’t finished your training.”
I moved closer to him and frowned. “I’ve had enough training.”
“I’m in command,” Arik said, “and I say you stay behind.”
“My globe can help. It shields,” I argued.
“May we speak alone?” he asked.
“Sure. Whatever.” I stomped after him to the nearest room.
Pop barged into the room after us.
“I must talk to Gia alone,” Arik said to him.
Pop folded his arms across his chest. “She’s my daughter. Her welfare’s my concern.”
Arik yielded. “If you stay, I must ask you to keep this between us. I don’t want to scare the others.”
Pop came over to me and held my hand. “I won’t say a word.”
Arik studied our linked hands for a moment then he looked up at us. “I’m afraid Asile is lost. We can only pray for survivors.”
I gasped, dropping my helmet. “Nana?”
Pop’s face twisted with concern. “She’s there?”
“I’m afraid so,” Arik answered for me. “If Merl was able to get her out–-if anyone escaped, they’ll be at the shelter.”