Avenging Cupids

Chapter 14: Impossible Possibility

“Nothing is more imminent than the impossible . . . what we must always foresee is the unforeseen.” 

― Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

Willow leaned back in her seat and shook her head. She folded her arms over her chest like a preteen with a bad attitude and let out a smoky huff. She gazed through the window, consumed in the murky waters that flanked Interstate 95. She could see the strobes in the distance, winking at her, beckoning. She could hear the lion-like roar of jet engines and smell the exhilarating fumes. She let her receptive senses consume her.

Airports were fascinating. Willow had always known that she would either walk the runway or land on the runway. She had done modeling for Delia’s as a child and she exceeded expectations. Although modeling was enjoyable and right up her alley, the thought of soaring above the clouds was a more appealing career.

“Oh don’t be mad Wills. I’m your guardian, what do you expect?” Elle obviously took Willow’s silence as the cold shoulder.

“There’s a fine line between guardianship and stalking-ship,” Willow snapped. She didn’t bother to look at Elle but she snuck a peek at Alden through the side-view mirror. Upon sight of his handsome face, the crumb of anger she felt towards him dispersed. Judging from the slight quiver in his shoulders, he was silently laughing.

“Firstly, stalking-ship is not a word,” Elle clarified, suppressing a laugh. “Secondly, I am not stalking you girl. Get over yourself. Honestly, I’d rather be a baked potato on my couch at this moment in time. Speaking of which, your little sneaky excursion has forced me to miss the premiere of Merlin.”

“Well,” Willow scoffed, “go back and watch it.”

“Can’t do that,” Elle said.

“Then why don’t you tell me everything I need to know right now? It would save us this trip.”

“Can’t do that either.”

Alden spoke then. “Please understand, Willow, we can’t utter a word to you. You are going to have to do your own research. You have full sway over your investigation. Seeing as your safety is in jeopardy—as it always is—Elle and I will be tagging along. Besides, it’s not like we can stop you now.”

Willow glared at Alden through the side-view mirror. His eyes were puffy and heavily lidded. So were Elle’s. They didn’t have to abandon their beds and teddy bears to accompany her. But they did and that showed Willow that the two really did care for her well-being. She decided that she had no reason to be angry. “Fine,” she sighed.

A grin lit up Elle and Alden’s green eyes.

“Great!” Elle exclaimed. “This whole sneaking around, following your dad thing is exciting huh?”

“Oh shut up Elle,” Willow scoffed, “you act like you’re not part of this scheme.”

“To be completely honest, Wills, there are some things even I am not allowed to know.”

“Oho!” Willow half-laughed and half-scoffed. “Miss Know-It-All doesn’t really know it all, does she?”

“Look Wills, I’m your babysitter and I know all the facts behind my job but it goes a hell of a lot deeper than just a job. There’s something different in your bond with Alden that marks it out from all other soul mate bonds.” A shadow passed over Alden’s face. When Willow blinked, the shadow was gone. “Also, it’s the City’s fault that my Dad is dead.”

“The City’s fault?” Willow asked with wide eyes. If her parents worked for killers, she would have no choice but to disown them.

“No, they didn’t kill him or anything. Dad’s death resulted from a flaw in politics. The City’s laws need some dusting. I’m going to avenge his death…even if I die trying.”