Sister isn't my favorite spot to spend a few hours. It's cramped, and even though there's a few human books in here—including a copy of Outlander—it's a little claustrophobic. I know as a human, I shouldn't complain about the safety measures that the crew has taken. They're genuinely looking out for me, and I mentally picture the three guys stuffing their poor sister in here on the regular. It's just that…I'm so tired of all this shit. Not just this ship, not just Bethiah and her money-grubbing smart mouth. It's everything. I just want to go home where I'm safe and happy and never leave again. At my side, Sophie shivers. There's one air vent above us, but it keeps blowing so fiercely that the air coming through is ice cold and smells of dust. I feel bad for my friend, because this has to be terrifying for her.
I mean, I feel bad for me, too, but I'm determined not to think too hard about Nassakth until I get home and I can process my feelings alone and in private…and with a lot of wine.
But then the Little Sister lurches, and I panic. I fumble at the straps of the jump seat I'm parked in, trying to free myself. "Why are we moving?"
At my side, Sophie tilts her head, listening, and puts her hand on the wall of the small hidden compartment. "The ship's vibrating. Are we moving?"
"No!" I yelp. "We can't move."
Because if we're moving, that means we're leaving the space station.
If we're leaving the space station, that means Nassakth must have decided to go stay with his family…and I asked the brothers to take me back home.
I didn't mean so quickly, though. I thought I'd have time to say goodbye.
The thought of never seeing Nassakth again makes me whimper with distress and I claw at the straps. A light flashes on the panel in front of us, probably saying something about the ship taking off and blah blah blah remain seated, but I can't. I have to stop them before we get too far away. I need to talk to Nassakth.
Because I've suddenly realized that I don't want to be without him. I don't want to go home to Risda and live by myself. I want to stay with him, and if that means hiding in his house while he swans around being someone important, I'll do it. Maybe instead of a new wife, he can just adopt someone else's kid to be his heir.
The point is, I want to be with him. He's the only happiness I've had in the last few years and I'll be damned if I let it go.
"The belts won't come loose until the ship stops," Sophie protests as I claw at the buckles. "Calm down, Kim."
"No! I have to get out of here!"
"You're going to give away our location," Sophie hisses, reaching for my arm. "What if someone's looking for me right now?"
She's right, I tell myself frantically. She's right. If I get out of here, I could give away her hiding spot and lead to her recapture. But if I don't…Nassakth might be gone from me forever. I might lose my last chance to say goodbye to him.
I look over at Sophie's worried face.
"I'm sorry," I say, and slide out from under the belts.
Or at least, I try to. My chin gets caught and I squawk like a trapped chicken as I try to wriggle free, but luckily the straps are made with the larger alien beings in mind and I'm able to worm my way out of the seat. Sophie whimpers as I push against the panel, trying to force it open, and when that doesn't work, I start hammering on buttons and kicking against the door. It makes a fierce, thunderous noise, echoing through the cargo bay, and every panel on the wall is lit up in an ugly red. I keep hitting buttons, trying to find a way out—
The door hisses and slides open.
I fling myself out of it, and into Adiron's arms.
"Kim? What's wrong?" He catches me before I can splat on the ground.
I immediately wriggle out of his grip and straighten. "You have to stop this ship! I haven't finished talking to Nassakth!" I clench my fists, wanting to hit something in frustration. "You have to turn us around right now! I'm not letting him leave me behind!"
Adiron rubs his chin, smirking. "Really? Because you told us you were ready to leave the moment he was