Inside, the air smelled faintly of spiced tea and burning wood. Nabi, Aesir’s mother, looked up from the table as they entered. Her warm brown eyes searched their faces, concern softening her elegant features.
“You look pale,” Nabi said gently. “What’s wrong?”
Zahra explained, her voice steady despite the storm under her ribs. She didn’t tell Nabi about the stalking just only the accident. Nabi’s lips parted in alarm, then pressed together as she nodded with quiet understanding.
“You’ll need to leave right away,” she said. “The private plane……”
“Unavailable,” Aesir interrupted, checking his phone. “But there’s a commercial flight to New York in two hours. I’ve booked it.”
Nabi’s brows furrowed. “Good. Still… I don’t like this. Something feels….”
“Off,” Zahra finished for her. “I know
