Destined to Fly: An Avalon Novel by Indigo Bloome Read Free Book Online

London?’
    ‘Let’s just say it was like a homecoming in every possible way,’ he says with a smile that reveals his joy in the decisions he has recently made in his life.
    ‘That’s great, I’m really pleased for you.’
    Pleased for his happiness though still unsure of my own, I lift myself up to go and check on Alexa, when he says, ‘Now we just need to get this mess sorted and everything will be perfect.’
    I look down at him hoping his words are true. ‘Absolutely, that’s the plan.’
    On my way back to our room, I remember I haven’t checked in with Martin regarding the envelope that woman was trying to hand to Alex and backtrack to the lift.
    ‘Hey, Martin, have you opened it yet?’
    He nods. ‘It states that sending her blood alone is an unacceptable proposition and outlines exactly when and where she should be in seven days time before their “campaign” begins.’ He hands me the note.
    ‘Fuck.’ I automatically rub my hands through my hair after having scanned the words.
    ‘I know. It’s not good.’
    ‘What’s not good? Why are you swearing, J?’ Alexa’s voice startles me.
    ‘Oh, sweetheart, there you are. I was just coming in to check on you.’ Her wet hair is slicked back and she is wearing a white cotton robe tied around her waist. Could her timing have been any worse?
    ‘What’s happened?’ She immediately notices the note between my fingers. I anxiously look at Martin, not wanting to hand it over.
    ‘Jeremy, please, don’t insult me.’
    ‘I would never insult you, just promise me you will never go to Jurilique, ever, and it’s yours.’ I can only hope.
    ‘You know I will never do that. Give me the damn note.’ Her voice indicates that she is not to be messed with. There is absolutely no playfulness left, so I reluctantly hand it over.
    She reads it and abruptly collapses to the floor in a crumpled heap as if her legs can no longer bear the terrible weight she carries. She rips the note to shreds as if it is poison in her hands and her entire body starts trembling. ‘What am I going to do? She’ll never leave me alone. Unless we find her, she will find me. We know that’s the truth. She probably knows exactly where I am right now, even after your surprise detour. I can’t take any more of this, I just can’t. I’m captive here and I’ll be captive there. There’s no way out, no end in sight.’
    There is nothing I despise more in myself than being at a complete loss for words or unable to take action.Unfortunately, that is exactly how I feel at this precise moment … utterly redundant. Moments pass as we wonder what will happen next. I don’t know what to say or how to console her.
    Fortunately, Robert walks back inside leaving the kids outside drying themselves with their towels. Alexa looks up at his face and suddenly kicks into gear in a way that shocks us all.
    ‘Right, if you want to know how to support me in the short-term, this is how. Robert, you’re on kid duty as the responsible parent for the next twenty-four hours. Jeremy, I need a drink and make it strong. I need to feel numb for a while.’
    Robert and I both try to speak at the same time before her words and strengthened voice override ours. ‘I don’t ask for much and this is what I’m asking.’ She then adds in the same clear, firm voice. ‘I’m deadly serious. I need a drink. Now.’
    Okay, clearly we have reached breaking point. Robert and I look at each other and nod, knowing full well that if we were in her shoes, we would have demanded exactly the same thing days ago.
    Adam appears, suggesting that we make our way up the spiral stairs to the sun deck and he’ll bring up some drinks. I nod in agreement and attempt to dislodge Alexa from her seated position on the floor surrounded by the scraps of scattered white paper. She appears to have gone back into shock.
    Eventually, realising she is incapable of moving herself, I pick her up in my arms and carry herupstairs away from the