Chapter Three
Agentle hand wokeher. She looked up to see the flight attendant and an empty plane.
Poppy sat up and threw the soft blankets off, grabbed her computer, and checked for her phone.
The attendant smiled and handed her the phone. “Ohno realized he still had it when he was leaving. Your companions are outside the plane, waiting for you.”
“Oh. I am so sorry.”
“Don’t be. Win expressed to me how exhausted you were.” She smiled. “You would have to be to sleep through their plans and discussions.”
She checked her phone’s charge and put it in her bag. “Right. Where is my carry-on?”
“With your two companions.”
“They aren’t... never mind.” She sighed. “How tall am I, and do I have clothing on?”
“You are back to beta size and wearing a sweatsuit.”
“Great. Thank you. I don’t grow that much, so I can’t really tell by perspective.”
“You are lovely in either form. You have a particularly serene expression.”
“That comes from dealing with a male-dominated occupation. You have to be serene. If you raise your voice, you are hysterical.”
The attendant smiled. “I understand completely.”
Poppy paused. “Can I keep one of the blankets?”
The woman grinned. “Yes. Absolutely. We get a lot of omegas travelling with us, and we stock the blankets. They are frequently stolen.”
As she spoke, Poppy rolled the blanket into a tight cylinder before stuffing it in her bag.
“So, they are waiting for me?”
“At the base of the stairs. In the heat.”
“Oh, damn. Okay.” She exhaled and hugged the attendant. “Thanks for your help and the blankie.”
The woman hugged her back. “Go get ‘em, and let the world know we are here and we survived the Stronghold.”
Poppy leaned back with wide eyes. “Oh, wow. You escaped.”
She nodded. “I did. I was thirteen. A little regular hair dye, and I pass for normal. I do look forward to meeting one of the specialists who can help me finish my transformation. Being in the air has been great. Elite couldn’t track me. I am going to be watching your progress. I am pretty sure you are going to kick ass.”
Poppy shrugged. “I am not sure how this is going to work. I am not really part of the company team.”
“You just be yourself. The other two are waiting.”
“Right. I have to leave the plane.” She sighed, smiled, headed for the open door, and carefully made her way down the steps.
Breen and Myro were waiting for her. They had duffel bags and her carry-on. She was blushing as she walked up to them. “Sorry for sleeping. That never happens.”
Breen smiled. “It is absolutely fine. You looked tired.”