Wingless by David M. James

Author:David M. James [James, David M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Three Ravens Publishing
Published: 2023-12-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

The room fell silent as we all turned to give Lennox our undivided attention.

“A passenger plane leaving the Beijing Capital International Airport just encountered mid-air turbulence,” Lennox read from her phone screen. That was hardly anything for us to worry about, but we all knew our sister. If she thought this was important, it was, but she needed to be left alone to tell it her way. Interrupting her would only draw this out longer.

“The crew are reporting some minor bumps and bruises affecting the passengers, and one of their hostesses is missing. No breach of the aircraft occurred, so they are conducting a search, but according to one of the stewards, she simply vanished.” Lennox looked up, the light from the phone screen still illuminating her face. I had a sneaking suspicion that she was reading a real time transcript from the cockpit radio, courtesy of one of her little programs, and I shuddered to think about just how many international laws she was violating to do so.

Then came the sentence that brought us all to our feet. “According to my data, that hostess was Orfael.”

I took a moment to cradle my face in my hands. “Merde,” I whispered into my palms.

Ever since the humans developed flight, Orfael would spend as much time as she could in planes. She would use her power to get onto flights as one of the flight crew whenever she was bored or stressed. She always said she preferred that than just being a passenger.

The usually quiet Toby spoke up. “I should have known. I offered her a place to stay, or a couch here at the observatory when she couldn’t get into her house, but she said she’d rather stretch her wings instead.”

“Lennox, I thought you couldn’t get me a flight out?” Adelita asked.

Lennox nodded. “I couldn’t, but I was trying to do it the normal, human way since I knew you’d need your passport stamped for your position at the UN. I imagine Orfael just miracled herself on board.”

A small hint of hope was present in Silje’s voice as she spoke. “And off again?”

“Doubtful.” I was going to add something about us not being that lucky when all of our phones started ringing simultaneously. I didn’t need to look at mine to know who was behind that little trick, and from the looks the others were giving me they had come to the same conclusion.

I forestalled any attempt from my friends to convince me to answer by just calling out to the room. “Yes, Azazel, you’re welcome here. Please join us.”

Silje physically flinched as we all heard the discordant chime of Azazel manifesting just outside. The door opened and he hastily entered, the usual swagger missing from his movements.

“Sorry for the loud entrance; I’m in a rush.” His apology was pointedly made towards Silje as he closed the door behind him.

“Thank you for doing it outside, at least,” Silje replied.

Azazel paused long enough to execute a small bow in Silje’s direction; even when he was in a hurry, the Fallen Angel was a showman at heart.

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