Ali

“Please buckle your seat belts. The captain is preparing to land.” I hear the bubbly blonde flight attendant order over the plane’s intercom. I adjust myself in the comfortable seats and buckle. I look over to Mer who is already buckled and still passed out from her sleeping meds. I chuckle to myself when I see a small pool of drool on the shoulder of her pink blouse. Movement closer to the front of the plane catches my eye and I see Shikari, or Shi as we call her, and Birsha rush to their seats laughing as they go. Seeing her so happy makes my heart smile. One of my closest friends has finally found not only her fated mate but also her dishanna. After everything she has been through and so much she still doesn’t know of the future, she deserves to take the happiness when it comes.

Shi, Mer and I grew up together in The Establishment. A place where children are trained from a young age to battle the rogue concealed creatures of this world mercilessly. We grew up training side by side in the heat and ice without any ease or sympathy. Although, we were raised with the finest material items the world had to offer, I always felt itw was never worth the emotional and physical pain we went through daily. The three of us bonded quickly. Seeing to each other's wounds and our powers connect so easily we grew a sisterhood bond more quickly than anyone I had heard of. Thinking of them and how much we shared I feel the guilt churn in my stomach. There is still one secret they don’t know.

Turbulence shakes me out of my internal guilt fest. I glance around at my surroundings. The plane was luxurious which is not surprising in the least. Leather seats freshly detailed with Birsha and Shi’s monogram elegantly stitched in the headrests. Crystal glasses with plush blankets allowed us to lay back and enjoy a comfy ride. Unfortunately my nerves wouldn’t let me enjoy it. I can’t help but feel that something bad is going to happen.

I look over at my friends with envy as I see them all relaxed. It’s only the girls on this flight except for Birsha of course. He wanted to give Shi as much time with us as he could before he whisks her away to fulfill a promise. A promise that she made to his father, the Devil. Yes, the actual Devil himself. I haven’t met him myself but Shi swears he is sweet and truly full of life. I have a hard time believing that. I mean honestly who would believe that? Although, since she has never lied to me, so I’ll just take her word on it.

Birsha and Shi made a deal that they would go back to Hell in a year to prepare to take over the throne in exchange for information and assistance on a mission we were on. It was a tough mission and we needed answers. Still, I wish she hadn’t made a deal with the devil. Even if her agreement did allow us the knowledge to save over two hundred women, I still worry that it may bite us in the ass later. Every time I ask her if she regrets her choice, she looks me in the eyes and says never. She told me she was going to marry him anyways and the bonus of saving those women just made it better.

Watching them is truly so sweet it’s sickening. They can’t keep their hands off of each other, poor Mer is constantly telling them to get a room. As much as I can’t stand the idea of public affection, it’s nice to see her happy. They not only love each other like crazy, they are also dishannas, which is a bond born of the fates and destiny themselves. They were literally born for each other and are the others' perfect match. She is destined to be his queen and help him rule the underworld. While I am so happy for her, I am still sad to lose one of my closest friends in the process. That’s life though, changes and constant movement without any control.

Now we are headed to London to spend time relaxing and enjoy each other before everything changes even more. I look around as unease slivers across my stomach as I feel the wheels press down on the ground allowing us to land. Even though I love and appreciate the accommodations that Birsha has provided. I hate just sitting here. I feel like I should be doing something. A lingering feeling that something evil is coming our way and I can’t seem to shake the feeling. Then again it could just be me worrying about things. I’m not used to not having anything to focus on and right now I just feel lazy and without a purpose.

For as long as I can remember I have always had a purpose. With the family I was born into, it was required. Years after years I have done as I am told, following orders and doing what is needed. Now that I have decided to leave The Establishment I feel as if I no longer have a purpose. No one to save or help, and nothing to fight. The feeling of loneliness and anger fills my veins as memories of all the reasons I left the one place that truly felt like home entrap my mind.

I had told Shi that I would follow her and I did that because I truly wanted to spend whatever time we had together before she starts her new life. However it wasn’t the only reason. During the mission I found out things I had been hunting for since I was eight years old. Finally the lies and cover ups found their way to me and I knew something had to be done. All this time I thought the rumors were just that, rumors. To find that it was all true, well that blew my mind. It made me question everything I stood for and everything I have done. We were to be hunters, the protectors of the world. We are supposed to be the law and protect all innocent, human and concealed alike. Now it seems everything I’ve ever known since I joined the establishment was a lie.

The bubbly voice that I have decided is rather annoying, comes through the speaker once again startling me back to the present. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to London. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened. The Captain will then turn off the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign, indicating it is safe to stand. Please use caution when exiting the plane. Your porter will remove your items and have them delivered to you directly.”

I reach over and softly shove Mer to wake her up. I chuckle when she swats my hands and groans then makes a very unflattering noise. I look around and realize how glad I am that Birsha had surprised Shi with the private jet just for the four of us and sent the others ahead. Mer would be super pissed if everyone saw how much she was drooling. A snort makes its way out of me as I try to control another laugh and shove her harder. I outright laugh when she shoots straight up like the seat is on fire.

“The plane has landed. We can leave.” I point to the fasten seat belt sign that is now off and I hear her sigh.

“Well let’s go then.” She grumbles under her breath and we make our way to the service doors and head down the stairs. Mer gasps softly when she sees the red carpet leading from the stairs to the limo then narrows her eyes when she sees Bix standing by the door. Well it seems as though she is still ignoring her mate, I think to myself. Not that I can talk I’m currently in a cluster fuck of mess with men myself.

“Are you alright?” Birsha asks as he and Shi come up behind us holding hands and smiling as if they were in their own little bubble.

“Yes, we’re fine. Mer here just needed a second to fully adjust to waking up.” I say with a smirk as she turns her narrow eyes to me.