Galaxy Of Hope

Now that the jig was up it did bring some newfound freedom. I could at least see Dosch now without being afraid of being taken out. As expected my anxiety levels over Andrew and The Culling were at an all-time high, considering literally everyone, including Andrew, was an advocate for him to go through the process. Dosch’ little power speech to the others had worked like a charm. When he told everyone I would be in danger without the claiming being done, just about all gears turned in the same direction and my last hope of keeping Andrew safe disappeared out the window. I guess the only fact that kept his odds high were that he was a super badass guy, called the golden dragon by some and the Widowmaker by others. The shadows in the shadowlands I should be worried about, not him.

Whatever Vincent needed to discuss was due next. Seven months have now been used and he owed me some explanations. That’s where the gang was heading to today.

As he had done a few months ago, he had summoned us to his estate in Dornatill, which was a five hour flight away from Rivellin. Dominic and Oak had offered their private planes, in the end Oak’s had won.

Andrew had picked me up from my apartment in his Helicar and we were rolling up to the private airport at the moment. I had not yet seen their private planes, yes plural since Sky and Ash also had one, I could immediately spot which planes belonged to whom. There was smaller private plane in all white with a pink Briareve logo on it and pink and gold lining of the aircraft. Next to it was a bigger one, all black. The third one was a white and dark blue colored plane, which would be Oak’s. It was plain and normal. Also another thing that gave it away was Mourad and Marcus who were flanking the staircase leading up to that plane’s entrance, which meant their big boss was inside already. Both me and Andrew stared at the plane as if it was a mirage. ‘Money everywhere.’ Andrew sighed. Him and I were the same, we had grown up with not much and even though we might be wealthy at the moment we would never forget the old days. When you have ever been hungry, you can never forget the feeling of an empty stomach no matter how many steaks you fill it with.

‘Little bird!’ from my right a large, flamboyant figure walked my way. It was hard to see with the sun so bright, covering him in shadow but Sebastian was wearing an all-orange, oversized track suit thing. The golden rings on his fingers gleaming in the sunlight and a cigarette dangling from his lips. Andrew crinkled his nose at that. ‘Howdy to you, bondmate!’ Sebastian hugged Andrew first, which was enough to make me chuckle considering they hardly knew each other at all. They had seen each other a few times over the last months when Andrew had accompanied me, but I don’t think they ever had exchanged words. The hug was awkward, with Andrew patting Sebastian’s back a few times and keeping a rigid posture. I felt what he was going to do before he did it and I also knew what Andrew’s reaction would be. ‘And now for my little bird!’ he darkly added before letting Andrew go suddenly and storming my way in a blur of motion. He dragged me up, over his shoulder and spun me around. I squealed.

‘Put her down Barrington.’ Was all I could hear from Andrew’s side. He was more calm than I had expected. Sebastian patted my ass in response. ‘Little birds need to fly, Goldie.’ Oh god, he had given Andrew a nickname and had he been drinking? Before any of us could reply or protest, he was walking me upside down to the plane. My beige joggers were fortunately covering everything, or Mourad and Marcus were in for a show. ‘Sebastian.’ Andrew tried again, this time more exasperated. Flanking his back while walking to the plane. Someone from the airplane staff was getting our bags in the meantime but Andrew was guarding his black suitcase as if it contained his heart. I waved from my upside down position to the two bodyguards, I was not sure they saw though.

“What in the hell.’ Jax voice drifted to me from behind Andrew. He had also arrived. Andrew and Jax started to murmur to each other but I couldn’t understand a word, since the engine was already loud and from inside a lot of commotion was drifting my way already. We hadn’t even boarded yet.