Free Blood Kin by Maria Lima Page B

minutes, she took off the headset and returned to the main cabin. “Looks like we may be here for at least a couple of days,” she said. “Ben was spot-on. A huge thunderstorm system hit the Coast Mountains and isn’t expected to let up until tomorrow evening. I’ve put in a call to someone I know at a weather outpost. He’ll text me if the forecast changes. In the meantime, I suggest you all head to the condo and settle in, after we call Minerva and tell—”
    “Tried that,” I interrupted. “Rang once and disconnected, then a fast busy.”
    “Damn,” she said. “That’s a pain. Those lines are usually pretty good, especially for the area, but a bad thunderstorm can knock them out quick.”
    “Why don’t we all head out to get a bite to eat, then go on to the condo?” Tucker suggested.
    “Sounds like a plan, bro.”
    “I’ll taxi us over to our hangar,” Liz said, “then you all can call a cab. My car’s here, but I’m afraid we won’t fit. I bought a smart car. It’s great for me, but too tiny for our gang—only sits two. I’ll head on over to my place and give you a ring tomorrow.”
    “You live here?” I asked. “In town, I mean.”
    “Over in Burnaby,” she said. “Easier for when I hire out. Several of the film studios are there and it makes the drive faster if I don’t have to deal with as much traffic.” She grinned. “It’s loads of fun. I like to keep an apartment close to the action.”
    “You should join us for dinner,” I said. “My treat.”
    “I really need to get back home,” she said. “Since I was supposed to bring you all up to the family tonight, it could be they’re trying to get in touch with me. I should try to email. Even if the phones are down, maybe …”
    “Perhaps we should try driving,” Niko suggested. “Won’t your family be worried?”
    “Yeah, worried no doubt, but driving?” Liz shook her head. “Not with that weather system. Looks to be a wicked big storm and there are some mountain roads between here and there that are pretty treacherous. In good weather, it’s a good ten-or twelve-hour drive and only about two-thirds of that on main highway. I’d not risk it with storms. You all go on and when I get home I’ll email the homestead,” she said. “You get settled in and let me know if you hear anything. I’ll do the same.”
    “If they can’t call, how likely is it that they’re online?” I wondered aloud. “I could try to text them, but would they get it?”
    “Not too likely, true, but I figure at least with email, they’ll eventually get the message,” Liz explained. “Keira, if it’s okay with you, I should get moving. You folks can hail a cab from the terminal.”
    “Okay with
me
?” Why on earth was she asking me?
    Liz looked confused. “You’re kind of my boss, right now …”
    “Excuse me?” Her boss?
    “Keira, in case it’s escaped you, you’re the heir. For all intents and purposes, you speak with my liege’s voice,” Liz explained.
    “I
so
do not,” I exclaimed. “Oh no, I absolutely do not want this. I’m not your boss.” Bad enough that Daffyd claimed me as his liege. I didn’t want responsibility for anyone else. Didn’t they know that people died under my watch? Not happening again, thanks very much.
    “But you are.” Liz said. “It’s not a matter of if or wanting. It’s a fact. You’re the heir; the only one you answer to is Minerva. Not that I wouldn’t argue with you if I thought you were doing something stupid.” She beamed and for a moment, looked like a smaller, female version of my brother. I wondered briefly if Liz was a much closer cousin than I knew.
    I tried to explain how I felt. “I’m not comfortable with this whole boss thing, Liz … and that includes you, too, Daffyd,” I said, briefly turning my head toward the back of the plane. “Liz, you don’t need to ask me if you can go to your own home. I’m not Gigi and don’t plan to be ruling or leading anyone