Page 22 of Star Bringer
“Big surprise,” Kali mutters from behind me. Looks like she decided it’s worth checking out after all.
Ian ignores her and punches the button again. Not surprisingly, nothing happensagain. Except theCaelestischooses that moment to groan and lurch sickly to the side.
“Maybe we need to rethink this,” Max comments.
“There’s nothing to rethink. We’re out of options.” Ian glances at me. “Now might be a good time to pray.”
Sadly, our religion doesn’t work that way. What will happen will happen as the Light wills. The monastery gets pilgrims every year from all over the system, begging priestesses—especially the high priestess—to pray to the Light to intercede on their behalf, but they’re misguided. I can’t do anything to change the world. I’m just ready to save it when the Light shows the path.
But I don’t have to get started with that complicated explanation, because at that moment, a man peers over the top of the ship. He’s wearing a black lab suit, so he must work for the Corporation. He’s also got silky black hair with a bright purple streak, sallow white skin, and narrow dark-brown eyes. I love the hair—I really hope there’s nothing in the Book of the Dying Light that says a high priestess can’t have purple hair, because I think it’s going to be my next fashion choice.
“Gage,” Ian yells up at him. “So that’s where you’ve been hiding, you tricky bastard. Let us in.”
Gage grimaces as he leans over the edge of the ship and shouts something unintelligible. Ian raises his arms in a what-did-you-say kind of gesture, so Gage tries again. And again. Finally, he rolls his eyes and holds up a finger. Seconds later, a ladder drops down the side of the ship.
“A fucking ladder?” Kali mutters with a disbelieving shake of her head. “This just gets better and better.”
I kind of agree with her, but I’m not brave enough to say so. Especially since Ian clearly has no concerns about the primitive method of entry. He’s already halfway up, with Max right behind him.
I edge closer, but Merrick stops me with a hand on my arm and says, “I don’t think this is a good idea. We have a better chance staying on the space station. They’re probably getting everything under control right now.”
“Itisthe most sophisticated space station ever built,” Kali puts in. But despite her serene expression, she sounds unsure.
“The most important thing is to get you home,” Merrick says.
I think about being back in the monastery and wait for happy thoughts to fill my mind. It’s the smart choice, thegoodchoice. But there is no happiness inside me at the prospect of making it. Instead, just considering it feels like a full-grown narthompalus is sitting on my chest, getting heavier and heavier until I can’t so much as draw a breath.
I stare up at the ladder leading who knows where, with people whom I suspect are not particularly good. Still, the pressure eases. And just like that, I know what I’m going to do.
When the ship issues a particularly loud groan, I take it as a personal message.
“It’s not safe here,” I say. “I think we should leave. Now.”
Without waiting for Merrick to come up with any more perfectly logical reasons why we should stay, I grab the first rung of the ladder. I start to climb, and I don’t look back.
Maybe it’s the wrong choice, but surely these feelings are the Light guiding me on the path. Is it really so bad to just want a little more time to be free?
Just a tiny bit more, then I’ll go back, and I’ll do my duty without complaint.
I swear.
Chapter 9
Kali
Is it just me, or is my first official duty going really, really well?
Sure, I’m about to throw out the rulebook once and for all because not only am Inotcalm, but judging from the look on Merrick’s face, I’m also doing a terrible job at not appearing panic-stricken.
Of course, that’s probably because Iampanic-stricken, but it’s all fine, right? Just another day in my life. Everything is totally and completely under control right now. Dear old Mom would be so proud.
As if to underscore my thoughts, theCaelestisgives another loud, shuddering groan that has chills skating down my spine. Because state-of-the-art space stations always sound like that when things are running perfectly. Obviously.
It’s just Merrick and me now, standing in the docking bay, staring up at Rain’s bottom half as she disappears up the ladder. And while I’m still not certain staying on board is the way to go, I’m also not ready to commit to climbing into the bucket of misplaced bolts in front of us, either.
Surely there’s another option. I just haven’t thought of it yet.
The ship shimmies again just as Rain vanishes over the top of the spaceship, and my heart jumps to my throat before sliding right back down my esophagus into my stomach. Her making it on board is clearly the call to action Merrick needs, because he’s suddenly racing up the ladder like her life depends on him getting to the top.
