Between Burning Worlds (System Divine #2) - Jessica Brody Page 0,100

pulse from a rayonette. The warm, tingling sensation in her leg waned, and all that was left in its place was pure, unbearable anguish.

Chatine let out a scream that echoed around the small cockpit, out the open hatch, and deep into the silent hangar. The pain was all-consuming. It blurred her vision and screeched in her ears. It seemed to go on so long, Chatine could swear an entire season had passed on Laterre. They were no longer in the Darkest Night. They had entered the Blue Dawn. And yet, the pain was still there.

Finally, the radio crackled again, and she felt boundless relief when Etienne said, “That’s it. I’m coming to get you.”

- CHAPTER 29 - ALOUETTE

“ARRIVAL AT MONTFER SPACEPORT IN five minutes,” the cruiseur announced before banking sharply and descending through the drizzly air. Alouette pressed her nose to the window as the last remaining traces of the boglands rushed past. The morning Sols shone behind the clouds above, turning them into a vast glowing blanket of gray, and up ahead, Alouette could see the city of Montfer waking up.

Tears stung her eyes, blurring her reflection in the cruiseur’s plastique windows. She couldn’t stop thinking about what Marcellus had told her in the Tourbay.

The sisters’ plan had failed.

Citizen Rousseau was dead.

Along with who else?

No. Don’t think like that. She hastily wiped her eyes and forced the morbid thoughts from her mind. She couldn’t afford to think like that. They were heading to an enemy planet to track down Denise’s source and stop the general from unleashing some disastrous weapon. She had to stay focused. Stay sharp. Stay positive.

“So, you’re really going through with this?” The voice belonged to Gabriel. It ripped Alouette from her thoughts and the window.

“Yes,” said Cerise, peering over the top of her TéléCom. “I’ve already made all the arrangements.”

Gabriel darted a look at Alouette. “Fine. I guess that means I’ll have to come too.”

Cerise lowered her TéléCom, looking suspicious. “Why? You just said you thought we were all insane.”

“Yes. And that’s exactly why I have to go. You pampered idiots have no idea what you’re getting into. You’re going to get yourselves killed. I’m your best chance at survival.”

“So, you are going to help us stop the general?” Cerise confirmed. She didn’t sound convinced. And to be honest, Alouette wasn’t convinced either.

“Yes,” Gabriel said, folding his arms over his chest.

“You are going to help save the planet.”

“Is that so hard for you to believe?” Gabriel challenged.

“Yes.”

“Gabriel,” Alouette said gently. She had a feeling he was hiding something from them, she just wasn’t sure what it was. “You don’t have to do this.”

Gabriel uncrossed his arms and began to fidget with the edge of the seat. “I know. I want to do it.” He shot Alouette a look that she interpreted as, just let it go.

“Okay,” she said. “Well, I’m glad you’re coming.”

“Me too,” he said hastily before turning toward the window, clearly avoiding her gaze.

The cruiseur banked again, and the spaceport loomed into view. In the early morning, it was a collage of shadows, tiny blinking lights, and dark shapes extending far into the distance. But Alouette could easily make out the terminal, a massive egg-shaped hangar at the center of the complex. Even under the gloomy skies, the great dome seemed to shimmer and shine. A moment later, there was a sudden burst of light from the rear side of the port, and in a cascade of rumbles and smoke, a voyageur shot up toward the sky. As it tore through Laterre’s layer of constant clouds, Alouette imagined she could see a glimpse of the stars above.

Stars that, in just a few hours, she would see up close.

Stars that would soon surround her in infinite space.

“Okay,” Cerise said, setting down her TéléCom. “The voyageur is all ready to go. As soon as we’re onboard, we’ll send a message to the source on Albion to request the coordinates for a meeting.”

Marcellus nodded pensively, his eyes never leaving the window. Alouette felt a rush of anticipation. They were really doing this. They were really going to Albion. Alouette never thought she’d ever get to travel to another planet, let alone Laterre’s longest-standing enemy.

“All right! This is it. Here we go.” Gabriel rubbed his hands together as though trying to warm them. “Now, I don’t want anyone to be nervous. People fly to other planets every single day. Just a normal occurrence. Voyageurs very rarely explode into fiery balls of light when leaving the atmosphere. There’s