myself on Alec’s lap, studying the tourist map and pointing things out past the window.
“The Imperial Palace is that way, and just past that is Tokyo Tower.” I consulted the map again. “And just a few blocks that way is Shibuya Crossing.” I knew they hadn’t been back since the accident, but I wanted them to know I was there for them. “We can go there if you guys want to. We can make time.”
“No.” Alec didn’t hesitate. His voice wasn’t hard or angry, just sure. “You guys can go if you want to, but I won’t. I want to remember them for how they lived. Not how they died.”
I stared at his profile as he looked out the window. My Master of Pain could be really poetic when he wanted to be.
“I have no interest in seeing it again,” Tyler agreed.
“Me neither,” Josh murmured before taking another sip of coffee.
“Yeah, fuck that!” Ethan yelled from the bathroom, proving how thin the walls were in this tiny room.
I hugged Alec and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Evie, are you OK?” he murmured against my cheek.
Tyler had filled them in on my dark thoughts after I was attacked. They’d all chastised, pleaded, and questioned me every chance they got while we traveled. I’d been brushing them off, trying to tell them I was fine, but they just weren’t dropping it. I sighed and looked away. Tyler and Josh were both staring at me; Ethan was leaning in the doorway to the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his hips.
“Not really,” I finally answered, deciding to be honest. “But I’m going to be, and I’m already feeling better than I was last night. Can we just focus on why we’re here? One crisis at a time.” Being around them, seeing the concern in their eyes, really had made me feel better.
Reluctantly, Alec nodded and gave me another gentle kiss.
More food arrived, and we talked about lighter topics until I received a text message from Mr. Takata; he was waiting for us in the lobby.
We packed up and headed down, dressed in comfortable clothing light enough for a walk in the Japanese wilderness in the middle of summer. I wasn’t entirely sure where his grandmother lived, but he’d mentioned it was remote.
In the lobby, Mr. Takata greeted us with the same level of respect and reverence as when we first met, bowing low.
I returned the gesture.
“How was your flight?” he asked as Alec went to reception to check us out.
“There was some drama at the gate—a loud-mouthed, entitled Variant—but the flight itself was fine, and we’ve had most of the night to rest. I’m excited to get going. I can’t wait to meet your grandmother.”
He smiled. “She is very eager to meet you also.”
“Careful what we discuss in public.” Tyler leaned in, giving us meaningful looks.
“Naturally.” Mr. Takata inclined his head. “And just so you’re aware, my security team will be accompanying us most of the way.”
Tyler frowned, clearly not too happy about men with guns being in our general vicinity, but Mr. Takata waved him off. “It is a small team of three men whom I trust implicitly. They have been with me for over twenty years, and one of them is a cousin. I have not told them of your situation, but they have been briefed to defend your life as they would mine, Evelyn—with their own lives.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate that.”
“Yes.” Tyler finally nodded decisively, satisfied with whatever extra information his ability had provided. “Thank you.”
Mr. Takata led us out front to a black van with tinted windows. We all piled into the back, with two of Mr. Takata’s men in the front. The third man was to follow behind discreetly.
We drove west for hours until the city disappeared, replaced by low buildings and residential streets, then verdant green hills and traditional dwellings. The road continued to narrow, going from a six-lane freeway to, eventually, rough gravel and dirt.
We stopped once for a toilet break and once for lunch at a small ramen restaurant on the side of the road. The owner spoke no English, but the ramen was amazing. Ethan had two bowls.
Around three in the afternoon, just as the road was becoming unbearably bumpy and slow, the van came to a stop.
“From here, we walk.” Mr. Takata got out of the van and strapped on his backpack. We followed suit. Two of his men took off into the trees, following a narrow path, while the third waited