Page 99 of Star Bringer
Max doesn’t for obvious reasons.
Gage is smart enough to figure out he’s finished if he goes back to his wayward employer.
Beckett was never going to agree.
Rain clearly wants to help her new girlfriend stay free.
I understand their reasoning, but Merrick surprises me. I would have expected him to vote to stay for no other reason than he’s desperate to get Rain back to Serati. But when I look over at him, his face is expressionless and both his arms are firmly down.
Yeah, there’s definitely something there. Some reason he doesn’t trust the Corporation. It makes me wonder what secrets he’s keeping.
Then I turn to Kali, look at her crossed arms. “Really? Even you?”
But all she says is, “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
Before anyone can stop her—or even say a word—Kali’s at the control panel, and with more force than I thought possible, she slams her hand down on the button we’ve all seen Beckett push a hundred times. The one we all know means “Go, Go, Go.”
There’s a scramble for seats. We’re all getting to know how theStarlighttends to fly when that button is pushed.
This time, I’m ready for it, and boy, is it a rush when you’re sitting down and not tumbling ass over elbow.
Within seconds, we leave theArcherfar behind.
“Eat our dust, you fucking drokaray shit,” Kali yells.
And I find myself laughing. Half in amusement. Half in relief.
Chapter 37
Kali
That felt fuckinggood.
With the push of one button, not only did I send a big ol’ fuck-you to the Corporationandmy mother, I made my own decision about my fate and stuck with it. I’m on theStarlightnow because I want to be. Because I need to be. And because I’ve earned my spot here, and fuck anyone who says otherwise.
Who’s dead weight now?
“Well, that was unexpected,” Ian says. Then he grins at me. “Welcome to theStarlight, Kali.”
The others send huge smiles my way, too. Even Beckett looks less hostile, and you know what? I’ll take it. It feels amazing to be useful for something besides ensuring there’s always a fresh pot of coffee.
“Set a course for Glacea again, please,” Ian says to Beckett, and she does, no snarky comment added in.
I head over to take a seat next to Rain, blowing out a long, deep breath. Now that the adrenaline has started to wear off, I feel wiped.
Rain gives me an encouraging smile. “That was amazing,” she says. “Well done.”
“Thanks,” I say. Then: “Looks like we’re officially off to Glacea.”
“I know.” She says it with her usual brand of enthusiasm. “I’ve never been. I can’t wait. It’s supposed to be beautiful.”
“And cold.”
“How absolutely amazing! Do you think we’ll get to see some snow?”
I think on it. I’ve never actually seen snow, and surely Rain hasn’t, either.
“You know what—I hope so. What do you think it feels like?”
