Page 9 of Tamhas

“I need to take a trip.”

He looked up from his desk, where a thick book was lying open. “What? A trip?”

“Yes. Just a, you know, road trip as they call it.” I leaned against the doorframe, hands in my pockets. “Nothing important, nothing terribly noteworthy.” Be casual, be casual, nothing to see here.

He turned in his chair, his eyes darkening with concern. But he was concerned nearly all the time. I believed he was taking well to his new position, truly, but it had been thrust upon him so quickly that he hadn’t been able to adjust properly.

Perhaps he was the one who needed a road trip.

“Why go, then, if it isn’t terribly important that you take a trip?”

Always one for questions, Alan. “Not important to anyone but me, I meant.”

“Ah. I see. I think.”

“It won’t be for long. A few weeks, perhaps.”

“Weeks? Now, see here.”

“Please, Alan.” I held up my hands before he could work up a head of steam and truly let loose with a tirade. “We both know that you’ll eventually give in and agree that it’s best for me to get away for a short while after everything that happened. There’s no way I’ll put myself in danger—I’m too conscientious for that.”

He rested his elbows on the arms of his chair, tenting his fingers beneath his chin. “If anything, I’d think that what happened would prevent you from taking such a risk. The possibility that someone might be out there, watching, waiting…”

“You remember what Mary said. The group responsible for the kidnapping is no more. We have nothing to fear. And what’s the point of living if all there is to look forward to is fear?”

That seemed to get through to him, try though he might to hide it.

I was already packed, certain he’d see the sense in agreeing that I should go. I wasn’t one to ask for permission, but the weeks post-kidnapping had been strange, indeed. It was better to be smart, to follow some semblance of protocol, than to make waves where waves did not need to be made.

I shared none of Alan’s fears. There were no threats to us out in the big world. He would see that in time.

I didn’t have that sort of time to wait until I found Keira, however.

My road trip would be a very short one: to Edinburgh Airport, where I’d purchase a ticket to JFK. I hadn’t exactly been truthful, but there wasn’t a way in hell he’d allow me to go. Like as not, he’d tell the rest of the clan, and they’d lock me in one of our cells. I’d be the first guest in hundreds of years.

There were no direct flights available until morning, which meant taking out a room at some chain hotel attached to the airport terminals. A room with bland wallpaper, bland bedding, bland everything. Those who stayed there weren’t exactly long-term guests, I supposed as I dropped my jacket on the beige bedspread and my plane ticket on the bedside table.

There was something to be said for freedom—even when I wasn’t in flight. Even when the only flying I’d be doing would take place in business class accommodations. Legroom was important for a man of my size. I’d learned that while on the jet from St. Lucia.

This would work, I decided as I watched the airport activity from the hotel room’s only window. I was certain of it. No, I wasn’t sure where to begin looking for her once I reached New York, but I would find a way. Even if I had to ask for a little help from Mary—I might be able to concoct a story relating to why it was important I find Keira without any of the clan knowing about it.

I jumped at the sound of the phone ringing. Just like Alan to break into an important stream of consciousness.

“You miss me already?” I asked, injecting far more humor into my voice than I felt at the moment.

He saw no humor in the situation, apparently. “We have a problem.”

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