The ferry horn blasted, signaling boarding time. The sound was loud enough to make Emi jump and send a flock of seabirds screaming into the pre-dawn sky. The Sentinels moved as one unit, filing onto the ferry like they were marching into battle rather than just crossing a stretch of water.
Julian shot me a look of pure hatred as he passed, his lip curling in that particular sneer that only the truly privileged could master. I gave him a cheerful middle finger in response. His jaw tightened, but he kept walking. Good boy. Save it for the monsters.
Aaron Sanders—Julian's walking wall of muscle—lingered for a moment, cracking his knuckles in what was clearly meant to be an intimidating display. I yawned in his face. He turned an interesting shade of red before following his master onto the ferry.
