Page 60 of Taken for Granite
They planned to cross into Canada in the morning. The whole premise of flashing her ID in a not-exactly-stolen SUV with a minor made her nervous. Tas would fly over the border before dawn and they’d meet on the other side. He assured her that he’d be able to follow the pull of the sigil if she removed the lid on the container.
“I just don’t understand why we can’t stay at that Motel 6 we passed,” Chloe muttered, her voice rising to whine.
“Because I have spent eighty years staring at concrete and steel,” Tas said. “I want to feel the moon and stars, the wind and rain, the sun and sky.”
That quieted Chloe’s complaining.
“We’ll stay in a motel tomorrow,” Juniper said. She couldn’t go too long without a shower and washing her hair before her skin crawled and she felt gross. The further north they went, the more they might have no choice but to camp. Looking at the map she picked up at a gas station didn’t fill her with hope.
She made a note to buy winter coats and gear, and those pocket warmer thingies. Tons of those. Then again, if they couldn’t get past the border, it didn’t matter. She’d never been to Canada. Hell, she’d never left Pennsylvania until a few days ago.
“You are worried. Share your burden with me.” Tas rotated the marshmallow over the fire, roasting it. Once satisfied at the golden-brown perfection, he passed the stick to Chloe, who sandwiched a toasty marshmallow between chocolate and graham crackers. They had an alliance regarding candy and moved like old partners, not needing to speak while assembling the s’mores. She was glad they got along. She had never brought a boyfriend home before and didn’t know how Chloe would react.
Not that Tas was her boyfriend. He was going home. Without her.
She hated thinking about the inevitable end of their relationship but saw no way to avoid it.
“About tomorrow,” she said. She knew that if she kept her calm, just acted like she was on a road trip to visit family, the border guards would wave her through. Acting nervous would be the fastest way to draw attention to herself. “What if they run the registration or plates on the SUV? What if it was reported stolen?”
So many things were beyond her control. Were the police looking for her? Would using her ID at the crossing flag something in the computer system, alerting the Rose Syndicate? The thoughts kept tumbling around in her head.
“You need more chocolate,” Chloe said, shoving a warm s’more into her hand. When she hesitated, Chloe flapped her hands and said, “Eat. Chocolate good. Adulting hard.”
“That’s not exactly a healthy attitude.” Juniper couldn’t disagree, though she felt better the moment that chocolate hit her tongue. She rolled her eyes and hummed happily. Adulting was hard and chocolate eased the burden. Too bad broccoli never made her swoon this way.
Tas joined her on the sleeping bag. She twisted in place to put her back to the fire and leaned into the solid warmth of him. Looking out at the night sky, she asked, “Which one is your planet?”
“Hmm. I do not think Duras is visible from here,” he said. After some consideration, he pointed to the east. “I always looked in that direction, though, when I think of home.”
“You don’t talk much about your home.”
He grunted. “I did not see the point. Duras is far, and I believed I would never return.”
“But now—”
“Now it is crowding my thoughts.” Tas shifted and positioned himself behind her, letting her back rest against his chest. His wings descended, wrapping around more securely than a blanket. With his arms and legs around her, she settled into his comfortable warmth.
She could stargaze and cuddle with him forever.
“Time advances differently on Duras,” he said. “My parents, brother, and sister have only aged a few years.”
“How is that possible? Some fancy science reason?”
“Time dilation and faster-than-light travel.”
She had no clue what he meant but would take his word for it. “What are their names?”
“My parents are Aris and Yilan. My brother is Anic. Kala is my sister,” he said.
“Younger than you?”
“Yes.”
“Anic would beg me to play games, but I felt I had no time.” He lifted his face to the stars. “I regret not finding the time them and thinking myself so important and busy. We did not part on the best of terms.”
“You argue with family, but you still love them. Chloe and I bicker all the time.”
“Anic did not want me to serve in the military. He opposed the war. Many people were growing weary of the constant struggle.”
