House of Leights (Secret Keepers, #3)(36)

With a nod, I moved to open the closet. There were two large canvas bags on the floor, probably what they brought our stuff in to begin with. I grabbed one and shoved in the spare clothes. I left out one set to wear, grabbing the bag of toiletries and dashing into the bathroom. It was empty, thankfully; I could hear my parents across the hall packing. There was no time for a shower, so I quickly got dressed in jeans and a black pullover sweater, brushed my teeth, and applied light makeup: mascara, bit of concealer, and some blush. I needed the armor today.

By the time I was back in our room, Brad had started to pack as well.

“I’ll meet you downstairs,” I said, dropping my PJs and the toiletries in my bag before hauling it over my shoulder.

He nodded. “Yep, I’ll be right down. Just got to brush my teeth.”

He was wearing the same basic outfit as me. His hoodie was gray, and he looked good for someone who’d been yanked out of bed in the early hours of the morning. I envied men and their ability to run fingers through their hair and give it a disheveled charm.

They didn’t know how lucky they were.

When I was almost out the door, he said, “You need to be more careful.”

I spun, not sure what he meant by that statement. Was this about Chase again? Lifting one eyebrow in his direction, I waited for him to continue.

“The deeper you get into this world, the harder it is going to be to get out. I can’t lose you. It’s team Brad and Maiz forever. You made a promise.”

He had a smile on his face, but there was an undercurrent of seriousness as well. I took an extra second to think about what I was going to say, mostly because my immediate reaction was anger. Teams supported each other, they didn’t hold one another back because they were scared. But I did understand where he was coming from. The friend he knew and loved was no longer the same. I had changed, my history had changed, and he could feel me slipping away.

I stepped closer to him, softening my expression. “Of course we’re a team, Brad. There will never be a friend in my life like you. But we’ve always known our paths would divert away from each other. Like if we went to different colleges. The key is to make sure we always find our way back.” I also felt it was time for us to bring a few new members into our team. But I didn’t mention that.

I left before he could say anything more. He no doubt was going to point out that living on different worlds was a far cry from different colleges, and right now, I wasn’t ready to hear that. By the time I got downstairs, almost everyone was waiting in the living area, including my parents. I gave my mom a hug before joining the main group. They all had the exact same bags as me over their shoulders, and the only one talking was Callie.

“Coffee. Me. Now.” A note of crazy entered her tone. “You can’t make me leave without it.”

Daniel smiled – all women needed to get themselves a man who smiled at them like that. He reached across to a small shelf in the kitchen and pulled down a travel mug. With a wink, he handed it to her. “Just how you like it.”

Callie screeched and leapt for it, her focus on the cup.

Emma let out a relieved, exaggerated sigh. “For a second there I thought they were going to make us travel with an uncaffeinated Callie.”

“Better to take our chances with Laous,” Lexen agreed.

Both of them laughed when Callie flipped them off. She then took a long sip of her coffee. Her expression turned dreamy and she cradled the mug with both hands like it was precious. “I’d respond, but I’m busy right now with something far more important,” she said smugly.

“It’s nice that you all haven’t let the stress kill your humor.” I snorted out a laugh. “Most people wouldn’t even be able to tell that we’re running for our lives.”

Emma shrugged and waved her hand toward me. “It’s laugh or cry, and Lexen says his dragon will disown him if he cries.”

“Dragon,” I murmured. “Not sure I’ll ever get used to that one.”

Brad was down the stairs now, and I was surprised to see Star cross from the door to greet him. The pair exchanged some words I couldn’t hear, and I had to blink a few times as she patted his arm. What was going on there? Seriously though, he better not break her heart, because something told me Lexen would break his entire body if he did. Or Star would. She seemed like she could take care of herself.

Lexen, Daniel, and Chase – who I was sort of avoiding, but also keeping an eye on because I couldn’t help myself – all moved toward the front door. Dad kept one arm wrapped tightly around Mom’s shoulders as he followed.

“We’re going to move out now,” Lexen told us. “I’ve had my father arrange transport and some decoy cars. We’re going to have to split up: the secret keepers are going to be in one car with the overlords, the second vehicle is for everyone else. We’ll be moving fast without delay, so as soon as I open these doors, you get your shoes on, and then you move. Do not speak until you’re in the car. Understood?”

Everyone nodded, and I caught an unhappy look on my father’s and Brad’s faces. My mom just untangled herself and moved in her gentle way toward me. “Stay safe, my little one.” She hugged me close, and I breathed in her familiar scent. She liked to wear rosewater.

“You too.” I sniffed. “Stay safe and I love you.”