Wings

Chapter 23

Chapter 23: The Drive Home

As we pulled onto a main highway an hour later, I turned to look at the driver. His brown hair unusually familiar. "Hunter?" I asked. His hands slightly tensed on the steering wheel. "Yes?" He asked clearing his throat. I felt a pang of betrayal as we pulled over a couple of lanes. It was morning and with the sun shining and burning my legs I didn't respond. He had clarified who he was and cold fury burned in me that Amy's brother, that people I thought I had befriended had not said a word as Asherd pushed me out the door. I sighed watching the signs change. We were deep in Orgeon and not close to Washington state. It would be at least a couple hours before we were even in my home state. I turned to the guard who sat beside me. He had milky white hair and brown eyes. When I met them he quickly diverted his eyes. "What are you all hiding?" I asked dryly. The man looked out the window and I felt the urge to roll my eyes. "What is your name? Are you allowed to tell me that?" I snapped. The guard slightly flinched before swallowing and looking to me. He tucked his head forward. "Forgive me. My name is Henry." I nodded. "Hope." I said extending my hand. Henry smiled and shook my hand and I watched as Hunter eyed this action of ours.
"I know." He chuckled. I laughed awkwardly. "Of course you do."
"Is Asherd okay?" I watched as both Hunter and Henry tensed. "He's fine." Hunter said quickly turning on his blinker. "Just drop it Hope." I opened my mouth and then closed it, swallowing. I sighed leaning back and the chair and did as he asked. I knew I wouldn't get any answers. Tired of Henry's sympathetic gaze I turned and laid my head against the window.

"Hope, wake up." I rubbed my eyes tiredly as I looked at the five star hotel in front of me. I blinked and looked to Henry. I scoffed. "Really?" I asked. Henry shrugged as he exited the vehicle along with Hunter. "Ashered wanted to at least make sure you were comfortable." I rolled my eyes at Henry. "Of course dragging me away from him made me feel so much better." I snapped, ripping my bag from Hunters grip. He let me watching as I stormed into the lobby and sat myself down on one of the plush couches.
A woman in a tight red dress walked up to me, smiling widely.  Her hair was perfectly swept into brown curls and I swallowed realizing that this was probably the type of woman that Ashered would end up with. She gestured behind her as an attendee took my bag from me. "Your room is right this way, Miss Greywater." I furrowed my eyebrows wondering how this woman without knowing me or how I looked knew my name. When Hunter and Henry finally walked through the doors they walked up to her and took turns hugging her.  "Long time no see, Sasha." The woman smiled seductively. "Oh please boys it wasn't that long ago." She laughed, winking. "Now, leave me be so that I may take this queen to her suite." I was taken aback my her wording but decided to ignore It as she led us through the entrance and to an elevator. After the four of us piled in not including the attendee she took the bag and shooed him out. She smiled at me graciously, handing the bag to Hunter. I awkwardly brushed my hands over my un-brushed hair, feeling inferior standing beside a woman who looked like a goddess. she pulled a key from the inside of her shirt and twisted it counterclockwise as the doors shut. "Our leader will meet with you, now." She said as the back of the elevator opened to reveal another. "Press the Wing and it will take you to him." She said as Hunter set the bag in the other compartment and moved back to stand beside Sasha. The three of them waited patiently as I looked at them surprised.

"Who am I meeting?"

I asked holding back the urge to hurl. "A man of great power." She said smiling as I cautiously walked into the other compartment. As soon as I was fully in it shut, leaving me shocked in dead silence as I looked at one of the buttons with a pair of wings intricately carved into it. I placed my hand against my chest and sucked in a breath, fighting the urge to panic. I clutched one hand close to my chest and tried to stop the shaking as I pressed the button and felt as it dropped. I gasped pressing myself against the wall as it halted mere seconds later. My heart beat in my chest and I waited for what was behind the elevator doors. When they opened it was the person I was least expecting.