Infini (Aerial Ethereal #2)(113)

I shake my head slowly. “All you need to know is that I quit.”

Nikolai tries to steer me to the couch, but I put a hand on his chest. He instantly freezes, but his gaze drives into my core, trying to pry the answer out. I wonder if he sees fear inside of me.

Anguish. Or heartbreak.

Maybe all three.

“I’ll talk to the police,” Nikolai says. “Whatever you stole, we’ll make it right.”

I laugh because I actually wish that my kleptomania was the problem right now. (And there you go, I gave one monster a name. It’s so clinical that I usually avoid the term, but it’s out there and real.)

“Look at me,” Nik whispers. “Luka.”

I look up. “I’m fine. I’m leaving, and you’ll have to accept it, Nik.” I turn towards the door.

Nikolai sprints ahead of me, and I take only two steps before he pushes me back with his palm to my chest. His puts his phone to his ear.

He’s calling someone?

“Nik, don’t.”

In Russian, he says, “I need you over here right now. It’s Luk.” The call lasts point-two seconds, and then he hangs up.

I shake my head vigorously.

His jaw contracts, and he keeps one hand on me. Making sure I don’t leave. “You weren’t planning on telling them you quit AE.” It’s not a question. He just knows I couldn’t stomach it.

“Don’t make me do this,” I say beneath my breath.

Nik wears dark confusion, his hand on my shoulder now. “You’re choosing this. You chose to quit.”

My bones lock.

Nikolai reads me well. “This isn’t your choice. Luka—”

“I can’t.” My nose flares, and I raise my hands. “Just let me go, dude. You have to let me fucking go.” The door whips open.

Our heads swerve, and I go motionless and cold as Timo walks into the suite, squinting. “Why are you in the dark?” he whispers and then flips on the kitchen light, a soft orange glow.

His face falls at the sight of us, squared off towards one another, and my bag—he hones in on my duffel. “What are you doing?”

“Wake Katya,” Nikolai tells him.

“No,” I say, but Timo quickly sprints to the other bedroom. He cracks open the door and whispers our sister’s name.

My hands are on my head, and I start thinking that I have to tell them I quit. I have to rip off the Band-Aid, dodge their expressions, and then walk out of here.

I have to do this.

I have to do this.

I drop my hands to my thighs, slightly hunched over and already winded. Nikolai tries to bend down to my height. He used to do that a lot when we were younger. Try to be eye-level with us.

It should comfort me, but it just makes it harder to leave.

“We can fix this,” Nikolai tries to assure me.

“No.” My jaw tenses. “There is no we, Nik. There’s just me. I take responsibility for my own actions.”

Nikolai searches my features rapidly, hastily—fearfully.

“Luka?” Katya creeps out of her bedroom, shutting the door. I don’t imagine Baylee on her bottom bunk in there. Overhearing this. I want the last image of us to be better than that.

I stand up straight, and I slowly make my way to the door. Nikolai follows, but I’m able to put my hand on the knob.

Katya and Timo are about five feet away in their pajamas. Facing me with panic and worry.

Timofei tries to smile. “That’s just an overnight bag, right?”

“Sure.”

“He’s lying,” Kat says, eyes already welling in hurt and anger. “You’re a bad liar, Luka Kotova.”

(You’re a good sister, Katya Kotova.) I nod a couple times, fighting emotion. I look between the two people I chose five years ago. My little brother, life and youth personified.

My little sister, sweet and clever.

I already miss them.

I’m numb as I say, “I quit AE.” I turn my back to them, twisting the knob, but their screams of “what?” and “why?” pierce my eardrums.

I tune out Timo who yells at me. Pleading with me to stop and stay and talk. He grabs my hand, and I shake him off. He curses at me.

He screams at me.

(I’m sorry.)

Katya is sobbing.

I exit the suite, my heart in my throat.

I shift my bag to my other shoulder, and I walk fast towards the elevator.

“Nik, you can’t let him leave!” Katya cries. “Nik, go faster!”

Nikolai is chasing after me. I don’t even look back before he runs up to my side, his lengthy stride pace-for-pace with mine.

My voice is hollow. “You can follow as far as you want, but I’m not stopping.” I press the elevator button. As we wait, he stays silent, but his intense presence bears down on me.

I’m in a daze, remembering how Katya auditioned for Noctis, a touring show, during contract renewals last season. That hurt some, but I figured she needed to prove something to herself. She was accepted, and she declined, ultimately staying in Viva.

Timo never thought she’d leave.

It’s even hard to believe I’m not just transferring shows. I’m quitting the company, and I’m a breath away from the elevator.

It dings, and in unison, we enter. The doors slide shut, and I watch the digital numbers tic down as we descend.