The flight into London was eventless, apart from William’s loud snoring. Even the flight attendants were annoyed by all of the racket. After a lengthy visit with Heathrow’s immigration, the four friends made it to their connecting flight with five hours to spare. Not exactly ideal when you’re facing another long flight.
William and Nicolae passed the time shopping. Sadie tried to sneakily browse the teen magazine rack while Gabriel paced around their pile of carry-ons. The closer he got to Rose, the more anxious he became. Is she okay? Will she confirm Nicolae’s crazy story? Will she be happy to see him?
Now that their flight into Romania is nearly complete, he is bursting with anticipation. Sadie stretches her arms high overhead, working out the kinks in her sore body. “What time is it?”
“It’s nearly four. We’re about to land,” Nicolae answers her as William yawns, waking from another catnap. Gabriel hasn’t slept. He is sure that will come back to bite him later.
He glances over at Nicolae and instantly notes the shift in his appearance. His glasses met their untimely end with the in-flight bathroom not long after the seatbelt sign went off. Sometime during Gabriel’s obsessive musings, Nicolae discarded his baggy clothes for a designer sweater that hugs his muscular frame, faded jeans, and expensive leather slip-ons. His hair is waxed and styled in a messy look. All evidence of his former façade has been erased.
“What’s with the new look?” Gabriel whispers across the aisle.
“I’m home.” Although that is all he says, those two words feel like the answer to a million questions.
Gabriel leans back, smirking at the cautious glances Sadie shoots toward Nicolae. He appears to be completely oblivious, too tormented by his own demons, but Gabriel has no doubt that when he finally does notice he will be intrigued by her budding interest.
“Will your parents be glad to see you?” Sadie asks. Her eyes can barely believe the transformation before her—annoying nerd to confident model. How did he hide it so well?
Gabriel tenses, sure that Nicolae will find some way around telling her the truth, but the newly transformed boy surprises him. “They died a long time ago.”
“Then who paid for our flights?” William leans forward to join the conversation.
“They did, or rather my trust fund did.” Nicolae’s face contorts with pain. “After my parents died I was sent to live with my uncle. He lives on a large estate just outside of Brasov. When I turned sixteen, I was given full access to my parent’s wealth. To be honest, I never knew they had so much money.”
Sadie smirks. “So you’re the one that’s rich.”
“Not in comparison with my uncle, but he has a highly sought-after job. I guess you could say it’s a rare commodity.” He pauses to think over the irony of his words. “My uncle is a hunter.”
“That doesn’t sound so rare to me…” William cuts off as a flight attendant rushes forward to shush him. She manages to scold them to put on their seatbelts before rushing back to her seat only moments before the wheels touch down.
After a manic rush to get off the plane and through customs, Nicolae leads them to their next gate. “Are you serious?” Sadie moans, rubbing her lower back. “I don’t think I can stomach another flight.”
Nicolae nods, beginning to betray signs of his own weariness. “Otopeni Airport doesn’t get us close enough to Brasov. We have to take a flight over to Bucharest.”
After the brief internal flight, the weary group of friends departs their final plane. “I really don’t want to get on another plane anytime soon,” William groans, stretching out the kinks in his body.
“Not to worry. It’s only a car ride now,” Nicolae calls over his shoulder as he opens the door leading outside. Parked next to the curb is a sleek, blacked-out limo.
“This is yours?” Sadie gasps, clinging to her brother. It is frightfully cold, with winds gusting wildly, tossing snow in their faces. Her short-cropped hair waves madly in the wind.
“It’s my uncle’s,” Nicolae corrects, his ears tinged with red. Gabriel seriously doubts the color has anything to do with the frosty air. “Hop in.”
Sadie practically dives inside, desperate for warmth. She completely ignores the guys as she wallows on the soft, luxurious leather seat. “This is what I dream heaven will be like.”
Nicolae seems pleased with her comment but quickly looks away to share strange words with the driver. As soon as the doors close, Nicolae settles back and closes his eyes.
“I take it this will be a long journey?” Gabriel grumbles, rubbing the sore muscles in his thighs. How is he supposed to rescue Rose when he can barely walk without a darn muscle cramp?
“Yes. About three-and-a-half hours, depending on the snow.”
“Lovely.” Gabriel glances out the window at Romania. He has visited parts of Europe with his family over the years, so he is familiar with the narrow streets and stone buildings. Numerous people walk the stone paths, braving the frigid temperatures instead of simply driving to the store. Europe has always held a sense of wonder for him.
“You never finished telling us about your uncle,” William says, more out of boredom than real interest.
Nicolae glances at the driver before flicking the privacy button. As the blacked-out screen rises, Gabriel’s eyebrows mirror their movement. Apparently, what he has to say is best not overhead. Even Sadie stops petting the leather long enough to listen.
“I told you that my uncle is a hunter…but I failed to mention what he hunts.” Nicolae’s voice comes out barely above a whisper as he glances warily at Gabriel.
Seconds tick by before the meaning behind Nicolae’s gaze hits him. “Oh no,” Gabriel moans, gripping his stomach tightly as he bends over. How could Nicolae keep this from him? What if he is too late? What if Rose has someone more than her husband to fear?
Thirty-Nine