THOUGH THE FIRST-CLASS cabin of the aircraft was spacious, Logan couldn’t imagine why anyone thought the gaudy colors were a good decorating choice. It made Logan feel like he’d been dropped into a gumball machine.
“I can’t believe we’re taking a commercial flight.” Chase signaled the flight attendant to bring him another cocktail.
“We’re in first class,” Logan said. “It’s not that bad.”
“Please.” Chase gave him a hard look. “It’s a commercial flight.”
Across the aisle, Adne murmured, “I’ve never been on a plane.”
“No?” Logan’s gaze slid over to her. “I suppose planes wouldn’t be much use to a Weaver.”
Adne gave Logan a startled glance, making it clear that she hadn’t intended to be overheard. “Don’t talk to me,” she said, turning her face away from the pair of Keepers.
“This is going to be the best vacation ever.” Chase finished his vodka and donned a sleep mask. “Wake me up when we’re across the Atlantic.”
“What a wonderful traveling companion you are,” Logan said.
Chase gave him the finger. A few minutes later he was snoring elegantly. Logan hadn’t realized that snores could have elegance, but Chase somehow managed it as only a Montauk Keeper could.
Logan glanced at Adne. She was in the window seat, and the aisle seat beside her was empty. Logan got up and moved to the vacant seat.
Adne shot him a poisoned look. “I told you to leave me alone.”
“And I’m not comfortable with you thinking I take your orders,” Logan answered. “So this is your first time on a plane? Are you frightened?”
“That question is so lame, I’m not bothering with it,” Adne said, keeping her face turned toward the window.
Logan smiled. Prickly as Adne might be, Logan sensed how restless the girl was. She wanted to talk, needed to. And Logan was feeling the same way. So he waited.
After what he supposed Adne considered a sufficient snub, she asked, “Do you think he’s in pain?”
“Chase?” Logan laughed. “No. He just gets whiny when he’s tired.”
“I meant Ren,” Adne said. “Do you think Ren is in pain?”
“Why would he be in pain?”
Adne turned to face Logan. “Because he’s trapped, isn’t he? He died, which means he isn’t supposed to be here, but he is.”
“I don’t know if a spirit feels pain,” Logan said. “But to be honest, I’m sure he isn’t happy. He hates taking orders from me.”
“Why is it that he has to obey you?” Adne frowned.
“I couldn’t get into specifics,” Logan said with a shrug, “but it has something to do with Bosque. Ren serves as a conduit, letting Bosque exert a fraction of his power on this plane.”
At the mention of Bosque’s name, Adne shrank into her seat.
“Are you afraid of him?” Logan asked. From what he’d witnessed of Ariadne, she was steely and cowed by little. But in Bosque’s presence, the Weaver had quailed as if her will was being sapped and she could do nothing other than submit.
Logan thought it had been rather glorious.
Adne said quietly, “Aren’t you?”
“Not really,” Logan replied.
Adne’s mouth quirked in a mocking smile. “I find that hard to believe. Bosque can’t have forgotten that you summoned him and forced him to reveal his true form. You’re the reason Shay was able to close the Rift.”
Logan maintained his nonchalant tone. “We all make mistakes.”
“Is that what you told Bosque?” Adne asked, incredulous. “That you just made a mistake?”
“I didn’t understand who Bosque was,” Logan said stiffly. “I do now. And he knows that I’ve changed.”
“You mean you know he’s your grandfather,” Adne supplied.
Logan sucked in a sharp breath. Trying not to show his alarm, he asked, “How do you know that?”
“I found a family tree,” Adne said. “Eira and Bosque had children. You’re a part of that line. So is Shay.”
Logan nodded. “That’s why he could close the Rift.”
“And why you can open it.” Adne finished the thought.
Logan searched Adne’s face for signs of deception. Is that what she thought? That he was the one who could open the Rift? She had no idea of the part she had to play in all of this. She’d been cast in the leading role and she thought she’d just be in the audience.
“Yes,” Logan answered simply. Better to let this scene play out than give away the plot twist now.
“Does Bosque really trust you to pull off something this big?” Adne didn’t bother to hide her smirk.
“I’ve demonstrated my skill.” Slightly ruffled, both by the new knowledge of Adne’s misconceptions and her insult, Logan shot back, “And I’ve proven my loyalty.”
“How?”
“I got you here, didn’t I?” Logan smirked.
“That was a fluke and you know it,” Adne replied. “I came here on my own. Not because of you.”
“Why are you here?” Logan countered.
The direct question took Adne by surprise. “I—I don’t know.”
“You must, though,” Logan said. “Throwing yourself into the belly of the beast. If you’ve gone mad, you hide it well.”
“I’m not crazy,” Adne said, though her voice was quiet.
“I don’t think you are,” Logan said. “But that means there’s reason behind your choices.”
“Never mind.” Adne fidgeted in her seat. “Let’s just say I am crazy.”
“I know why I decided to summon Bosque.” Logan ignored her attempt to dodge the issue. “After the war, I learned very quickly that wealth means little without power, and we Keepers had Bosque to thank for the power we wielded. I didn’t understand that until he was gone.”
“Good for you,” Adne muttered.
“Is that what you’re after?” Logan continued. “True power?” He leaned close to Adne and murmured, “I remember what he said to you in the library. About your power. He wouldn’t be seeking you now if you weren’t extraordinary. That’s the key, isn’t it? Bosque knows who you really are, but you don’t, and you want to.”