Karson came bursting through the cockpit door at the same time Abbi and Isabelle emerged from the bedroom with the kids. “Listen up. I didn’t go over safety precautions because all of you have flown before, but we have a situation. We’re about half an hour away from Hawaii, and we have engine trouble.” He raised the cushion from an empty seat, showing them a flotation device. “Everyone, look under your seat and grab your life vest.” Karson pulled out two smaller vests and passed them back to Isabelle and Abbi for the children.
“What about Molly?” Connor asked as Isabelle secured the vest to her son. Isabelle looked at Karson, and everyone waited.
“I’ll do my best to get her to safety, but I have to make sure all of you are secure first. Bryce has already called in a MAYDAY, but like I said, we’re not close enough to the islands to try to land.”
“Are we going to” — Tessa looked at the children — “What is the plan?”
The oxygen masks were released from the area above their heads, dangling back and forth. “The cabin of the plane is a pod. Bryce is going to lower the altitude as easily as he can, but with the engines failing, it’s not going to take long until… Everyone strap in and put on your oxygen masks. As soon as you’re all secure, I’m going back to the cockpit. The pod will release much like an ejector seat. There are two massive parachutes which are supposed to deploy, but in case they don’t, once the pod is ejected, Bryce and I are going to eject from the cockpit, and we’re both going to do our best to phase and direct the pod to the water. If we don’t get to you in time, I’m not going to lie; it’s going to be a rough landing, but you’ll all be secure inside. The life jackets are just in case.”
Josie tightened the seatbelt as the jet jolted again, secured the mask over her face, and grabbed the edge of the arm rests. Karson doublechecked everyone was secure in their seats.
“Hand me Molly,” Tessa instructed as she sat on one of the sofas. Karson did as she requested, and Tessa wrapped her arms around the dog. That was easier said than done, since the animal was clearly aware something bad was happening. Tessa put her mask over her nose and nodded.
Karson took one last look before he disappeared behind the cockpit door.
Josie? Sunshine, what’s wrong?
Oh, god. Malakai, I love you.
Josie? Josie! Sunshine?
Before Josie could answer Kai, the cabin was shot into the air. Everyone screamed, Josie included. The pressure from the seatbelt was painful, and even though she was wearing an oxygen mask, Josie felt like she was going to pass out. Her eyes hurt from how tightly they were closed, but when the pod changed directions, she opened them and screamed again. The cabin was in freefall, and her heart threatened to stop. Josie’s life didn’t pass before her eyes, but Kai’s face was front and center in her mind.
Oh, Malakai.
Something in her peripheral made Josie look out the window. Two large figures were flying toward the pod, and when they got closer, she could see both Bryce and Karson in their shifter forms, diving through the air toward the cabin. They disappeared from view, and Josie waited for the pain to come with hitting the water, but instead of crashing into the ocean below, the pod jerked. She figured it was the parachutes opening. Then the pod slowed and swung back and forth. The splash came, but it was nothing more than a jarring halt, then the pod tilted sideways.
“Wheee, that was fun!” Amelia squealed.
“Are we dead?” Trevor asked.
“Is everyone okay?” Tessa asked, as she allowed Molly to jump off the sofa. The dog whined and began pacing the aisle, causing more rocking.
“Should we stay seated?” Willow asked.
“I think so,” Isabelle answered. “Molly’s rocking the pod, and if we all stand, it’ll be like trying to walk in a canoe.”
“How the hell are we going to explain this to the Coast Guard?” Tessa asked, looking around at everyone. “Sophia? Abbi? Are you two okay? Connor?”
“I’m fine,” Connor said, less enthusiastically than Amelia had.
“I’d rather not do that again, but I’m okay,” Abbi responded.
“Sophia?” Isabelle called out, but the woman didn’t answer. “Soph!” Isabelle unbuckled and knee walked to where her niece was sitting. “Shit, she’s unconscious.”
“I don’t feel so good,” Katherine said. If this was a commercial plane, there would have been barf bags in the pocket of the seat in front of them, but since it was a private jet, the seats were mostly facing the aisle. Katherine couldn’t put her head between her legs because of the life jacket.
Josie unbuckled and slowly crawled over to the redhead. “Unbuckle.” Katherine did, and Josie helped her remove the life jacket. She directed Katherine to lean over, and she rubbed small circles on the other woman’s back.
Josie?
I’m here, but holy hell. Our plane…
Katherine sat up suddenly and shoved Josie out of the way. She made it three steps, rocking the pod, and then she vomited. At least they were toward the back of the cabin.
What about the plane?
We had engine trouble. The pod was ejected, and now we’re floating on the ocean.
Josie grabbed her head when her Gargoyle roared.
Sunshine? Please tell me you’re just messing with our beast.
Why would I joke about something like that? Either the parachutes did their job, or Bryce and Karson intercepted
