Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3)(17)
“You’re ready for this, Sasha. They think they know what to expect from you but they don’t have a clue how well you’ve been trained. We’ve kept your progress carefully guarded, which is probably contributing to their reasons for doing this. They believe we have neglected your training. Play their ignorance to your advantage. Don’t let them see how capable you really are. Don’t learn too quickly or too slowly. We need them to think that you’re just not as talented as they thought.”
“Be good, but not good enough. Got it.” Sasha’s pulse pounded in her ears.
“You take care of yourself out there. And don't forget, I will never be more than a day behind you.”
“Thank you, uncle Aide.” Sasha hugged him, laying her cheek against his chest, taking her last moments of comfort from her family. She was almost out of time and she still needed to talk to Aidan before she could leave. He had to keep working on the Quinn situation. She could trust him with her research.
“You have twenty minutes left. I suggest you go somewhere quiet and get yourself together. I’ll be right behind you both.” Aide nodded to Imogen and left them alone in Sasha’s bedroom.
“You’re packed. I found this under your bed.” Imogen handed her the duffel bag she’d packed earlier. “At some point we’re going to talk about where you thought you were going. Right now, I’m going to go tell my husband goodbye.”
“I’m sorry, Gen.” Sasha grabbed her hand. She hadn’t thought about what this would mean for her sister.
“I’ll come back for you in fifteen minutes and we’ll head back to Mom’s office. Go do whatever you have to do, and make it quick.”
~~~
The second she was alone, Sasha got to work, taking down her corkboard wall behind the drape. She gathered the information into a folio and went in search of her brother. Part of her wanted to send it to Graham, but he was so young in so many ways. She didn't want to see him make a desperate move to save his brother. Aidan was a better choice. He loved Quinn as much as a brother could, and he was capable of taking over where she left off.
But can I really burden him with this?
As she headed along the main corridor, Sasha heard the sounds of the vigil. She’d forgotten about it. The rest of the family were oblivious of her situation. They were down in the courtyard, celebrating Quinn’s life and drinking to his good health. She heard the unmistakable sound of Liam’s song and covered her ears. She didn’t have time to deal with the effects of his intoxicating gift. She needed to keep a clear head.
Sasha slipped her earbuds in and turned up the volume of a random playlist. She just needed to see if Aidan was at the vigil. She leaned over the balcony railing, peering down below at the revelry. Hélène and her children were there, along with Sasha’s grandparents, Nadira and Sayid, with Seamas and George, Greyson and Naomi. Everyone currently in Agra had come out to hold vigil for the memory of Quinn. But Aidan and Allie weren’t present. Which meant they had skipped out and were probably off somewhere flirting. Or brooding. They were both good at that.
It was apparent to everyone but Allie that they were mad for each other. Aidan would walk over hot coals for that girl and it freaked Allie out. Sasha wasn’t sure how long she would be gone but she wanted to tell them how much they meant to her and how stupid they were for not being together when they had the perfect opportunity to be happy. You guys don’t know how much time you have to be together until it’s gone.
As Sasha headed back through the empty house, she heard Allie’s laughter and followed the sound back to her brother’s room. Their drunken laughter made her smile. They’d clearly taken advantage of Liam’s song.
“Allie, stop. Please, baby, you’re killing me,” Aidan said, his laughter echoing down the hallway.
“What? Now you’re com-com-plaining?” Allie hiccupped.
“You’re drunk and this is not how I want this to happen, babe.”
Good boy, Aidan.
“I am not drunk,” Allie insisted. “Well … I’m drunk enough to be brave enough to tell you this is what I want.”
Ew, I do not need to be listening to this. Sasha tiptoed up to Aidan’s door, trying not to listen. She’d wanted to leave her research for Aidan, and to tell them goodbye, but there was no way she was interrupting whatever this was.
“Allie, stop taking your clothes off. Please? Before I forget I have a conscience and stop trying to put them back on you.”
All the nope. I definitely don’t want to hear this.
“Don’t be such a gentleman.” Allie groaned. “You’re killin’ my buzz.”
“This is going to happen for us, Allie. But it’s going to happen when you’re sober and honest with me about the thoughts you’re hiding.”
“I love you, Aidan.” Allie suddenly sounded remarkably sober. “But there are things I’m not ready to talk about yet.”
“You know I’m never going to let you forget you said that, right?” Aidan’s voice softened. “But we will not be having a mortifying morning after of regret when you realize you threw yourself at me in front of everyone downstairs.”
“Ugh.” Allie snorted. “It’s not like they don’t know we’re into each other.”