Mishap

Fiona POV

Turbulence. That's what the pilot had called it. A little turbulence, nothing to worry about. But the way the plane jolted, how the lights flickered for just a second, how the engines groaned beneath us—it didn't feel normal.

Xavier's hand was on mine in an instant, his grip steady, grounding me. "It's fine," he murmured, but I could tell he didn't believe it. His other hand was clenched into a fist on his knee, his body tense like he was ready to fight someone, even here, even now.

And then there was Jeremy.

Sitting two rows ahead, his posture was way too relaxed, one leg crossed over the other, his arm draped over the back of his seat like he had all the time in the world. His head tilted slightly, and then—slowly—he turned to look at me. A smirk pulled at his lips, barely there, but I saw it. He knew something.