Page 54 of Uprooted
“Aro, please. No more rule breaking. Let’s get through this last part without any trouble.”
“I’m going to take you to see Andi,” he says and a sly smile spreads across his face. Damn, he really knows how to get through to me.
“One more adventure, but after this, it’s by the book,” I tell him firmly. There is something about him that makes me keep stepping out of my comfort zone. It’s empowering and terrifying all at the same time.
“I love your cute little human sayings, even though they don’t make any sense.”
38
Aro
We need some help to get out of the muradome this time. Bri is really the only one for the job. I don’t think she will mind conspiring with us. The thing about Bri though—she’s a little unpredictable. I don’t doubt her loyalty to Elowen, or her willingness to bend the rules here and there. What makes me nervous is what she could want in return. I’m sure about two things: she will definitely ask for something and whatever it is she asks for, I won’t like it.
Bri and Elowen are in the rec room kicking back after a long day of packing up for the return trip to Earth, which I am still firmly in denial about. Elowen and I lock eyes as soon as I step into the room. My heart thumps loudly in my chest. She’s nestled into the couch, her feet tucked under. Once again, I’m floored by her. She’s in a soft sweater that’s a few sizes too big, and she has the long sleeves tucked under her fingers, holding them to her palms.
Bri turns and watches me, her expression far less welcoming. I get the feeling I’m interrupting their time together. I don’t feel guilty at all for monopolizing Elowen’s time. I’m greedy when it comes to her.
“Look what the cat coughed up,” Bri says when I sit down next to Elowen.
“I don’t know what that means, but it sounds disgusting,” I say.
“It is,” Bri confirms.
“What’s the matter? Not happy to see me?” I ask, unable to resist the urge to tease her a little.
“I’m ecstatic,” she replies with that mildly intimidating monotone voice I can only imagine took her years to perfect.
“Hi,” I say to Elowen.
“Hi,” she says back.
“Bri, we have a favor to ask of you.” Elowen initiates the conversation I’ve been mentally preparing myself for.
“You have my attention,” Bri says, clearly trying to dampen her obvious excitement. Elowen has warned me that Bri has a flair for the dramatic.
“Elowen and I are going to go visit Andi,” I say.
“And you need my help to sneak out.” Bri understands what we need before I have a chance to ask.
“Could you cover for me for two days?” Elowen asks.
“Absolutely. Consider it done,” Bri says.
“I think we need a plan for what you’ll say when someone comes looking for me.”
“Aro is the only one who ever looks for you, so I doubt anyone will be asking. I’ll say you’re in the lab.”
“First of all, that’s hurtful!” Elowen says, not sounding offended at all. “What will you say if someone in the lab asks where I am?” she asks Bri.
“I’ll tell them you’re in the mess hall,” Bri says.
“What if they came from there?” Elowen asks, concerned that Bri isn’t taking this plan seriously enough.
“I don’t know. I’ll make something up,” Bri says, brushing aside Elowen’s concerns.
“This isn’t going to work. Maybe we should ask Tai,” I suggest. That was apparently the wrong thing to say—or right thing to say depending on how you look at it—because Bri’s posture changes immediately. She sits up straight and looks us both in the eye.
“Don’t you dare. I’ve got it covered. Go have your lovers’ getaway or whatever you’re really gonna go do. I’ll take care of things here. Plus, I like the idea of you owing me a favor.” Somehow that last part feels like a threat, but that’s Future Aro’s problem.
