Isabella’s Airman Read Online Free Page A

save someone, but that’s all.”
    Her eyes were wide. “In this time period?”
    “No, it was the Dark Ages.” I recognized her puzzled look. “After the Ancient Romans left Britain. He was a Dark Ages specialist, but he’s retraining for another period.”
    “Maybe he’s planning to come here?” She played with her hair as we walked. “You know that ghardians can propose their own partners. I wouldn’t mind making a commitment to a ghardian .”
    “Juliet, he’s easily ten years older than us. And if you thought the sentinel was stern, he’s a fluffy bunny compared to the ghardians . I’ve never seen Marc smile. Not once. He scares me with his intensity.”
    “Aren’t you going to read his message?”
    We’d just arrived at the kitchens, with five minutes to spare. I’d been friends with Juliet for many years, and we had few secrets. “Okay.” I sat on the grass, tugged the letter from my pocket, and opened it. “You can read it with me.”
    With her reading over my shoulder, I scanned the note.
    Student Gillman. Isabella.
    I want to offer my congratulations on your first jump, and to wish you good luck. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the array of emotions, and so I urge you to fall back on your training and to maintain our protocols at all times.
    I remember you as being a sensitive young girl and am concerned that you may find this first jump to be difficult. Since I am not on active duty at the moment, I will be available on your return, should you need counselling or advice.
    Marc Gallagher—Lt.—
    “Well,” murmured Juliet. “The scary ghardian is offering you counselling. He doesn’t sound so bad.”
    “He’s probably just making sure I don’t make any terrible mistakes and disgrace our families.” Like falling in love with someone.

Chapter Five
    I was busy in the kitchen all afternoon, not escaping until after we’d had dinner. It was another lovely, warm evening, with only wisps of high cloud in the sky and the moon even closer to full. It seemed very likely they’d be flying tonight, and the thought made me shiver.
    Juliet and I went back to our room. I lay on my bunk and pretended to read a period novel, while she adorned her fingernails with foul-smelling pink lacquer. “There.” She waved a hand under my nose. “Don’t they look pretty?” I grunted in reply. “All the girls will have their nails painted at the dance on Friday. Would you like me to do yours?”
    Before I could reply, a low rumble sounded outside, and I froze. When the rumble increased to a throaty roar, I scrambled down from my bunk and fumbled for my shoes. “They’re leaving.” Juliet followed me as I charged down the stairs, along the hallway, and outside. I ran around the building to the grassy bank that overlooked the main runway and stopped. The breath jammed in my lungs.
    The massive Wellington bombers were on the move, trundling forward, the first one gathering speed and about to leave the ground. It was still daylight, though only just, with the moon already high. The planes, silhouetted against the fading light, looked primeval. Giant black monsters that would rain fire and death on thousands of innocent people.
    “There’s C-Charlie.” Juliet snapped me out of my stupor. She waved, her entire arm swinging, and I followed. We weren’t the only ones watching them take off. Several WAAFs and uniformed men stood nearby, waving to the crews as they eased into the sky. Even without meaning to, I found myself counting them as they left. C-Charlie was fourth to go. Ten in total.
    We watched until the last one was just a speck in the sky, its engines a faint rumble in the distance. I sagged at the knees and had to sit on the grass, my heart racing as though I’d been running. How did they do this? I knew they flew twice, sometimes three times each week. Many did not return. When they had been numbers on a page, it had been different. They had names now, and faces. The crews were real