“I…I don’t know what to say.”
“There is nothing to say, ma’am.” Andika shrugged. “After he liberated the animals from his own labs, he set about changing the rules for everyone. He, eh…went to war for them. He did unspeakable things. He…um, chose animal lives over human life and set up this sanctuary for them.” His eyes dropped to the floor. “He lost so much by fighting for those who couldn’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean—”
“Jinx.” Sully broke us apart, shooting a livid gaze at Andika. “The helicopter is here. We’re leaving.” Holding out his hand, he shook Andika’s. “Thanks for your excellent care. I’ll ensure you receive your requests.”
“Thank you, sir.” Andika shot me a final look before bowing and stepping back.
Sully glowered at me, his gaze probing mine, searching to know how much I’d been told. His features etched with anger as his hand lashed around my wrist again and yanked me outside.
Behind the animal hospital, the helicopter waited.
Ready to fly me back to hell.
Chapter Nineteen
SILENCE REIGNED BETWEEN US.
Not through choice but necessity.
The helicopter whirred too loud to speak without a headset, and any conversation between Eleanor and I probably wouldn’t be suitable for pilots.
How much had Andika told her? Why the hell had he opened his mouth? What I did on Serigala wasn’t for public knowledge. It was my…hobby. My one saving grace.
Eleanor sat stiff beside me, her gaze alternating between Skittles trembling in her blistered hands and the view of my utopian empire outside. The sun shone extra bright this afternoon, making up for the storm that’d swept through, leaving a few trails of destruction from broken trees to flotsam besmirching the postcard-perfect beaches.
I studied her out the corner of my eye. She sat straight-backed and supremely royal. It didn’t matter she only wore my shirt, that seaweed still clung to her long, tangled hair, or that her sunburn turned her from snowy to pink. She had an aura about her that hadn’t slipped since arriving on my island. She hadn’t lost her tenacity or inner strength. If I had a sister (and found it appropriate to use such ‘girly’ words), I’d say she hadn’t lost any of her sparkle since becoming mine…if anything, she glittered brighter.
From cubic zirconia to a Hawk diamond. Unbreakable, untouchable, unaffected by time or pressure—the strongest stone on earth. Yet despite her diamond exterior, I tasted a delicate girl beneath. She’d hidden that from me.
She still did.
It was Skittles who’d shown me the truth.
Skittles who I’d raised and protected, who’d always appreciated my involvement in her survival but had never fully accepted me as Pika had. The moment I’d moved to my island, she’d flown off to be with other flighted creatures, visiting occasionally, welcoming a touch periodically, but most of the time, happy to remain on her own.
I’d never expected Skittles to seek out Jinx. To not only seek out but to choose her as her person. Out of all the women sharing my shores, not one had ever been deemed worthy enough for Skittle’s shy affection.
It changed everything.
It fucking terrified me at how much it’d changed things.
I no longer had a single feeling for her. I had a fucking blizzard full of temptation and want. I was…confused. Twisted up, lost, and blindfolded on what the hell this all meant.
When we’d first went to board the helicopter, I’d eyed Skittles as she took off from Eleanor’s shoulder. I waited to see what my goddess would do. A test of her character. A revelation into her truth.
She’d stuck an arrow in my heart when she’d backed away, shaking her head. “I can’t go on that. Not if Skittles is too afraid. She can’t fly the distance back to your island.”
“She’ll be fine.”
“No.” She’d looked worriedly into the forest. “She rested a lot in the kayak…it…it wouldn’t be fair to leave her here alone.”
I’d crossed my arms. “She wouldn’t be alone. There are other parrots she can befriend.” Of course, I had no intention of leaving a bird I’d raised and cared for over fourteen years but I wanted to see how strong Eleanor really was. How far she’d go to stand up for a creature who she’d only just met.
“I can’t.” She shook her head. “I’ll…I’ll row back. I give you my word that I’ll return. But…I also gave Skittles my word that I’d keep her safe.”
Her reply clenched my stomach with barbwire, twisting me up until I bled.
Without thinking, I’d waved my hand at the pilot, cut the helicopter’s engines, then whistled the special call when it grew quiet. Skittles flew from the jungle and straight onto Eleanor’s shoulder. I didn’t want to stress or harm the caique, but if I had to throw a blanket over her or trap her in some way so she’d accept the mechanical flight, then so be it.