“I need to get out of here, and I need your help.”
He nodded absently, glancing around with a frown. “What do you need?”
Taking a deep breath, I brushed the hair out of my face. “Can you… can you look after Kayla and Cody while I’m gone?”
His gaze softened. “Yeah, Kas, ‘course I will, you know that.”
The last thing I wanted to do was leave my sister and nephew behind, but staying meant being imprisoned, and that wouldn’t help either of them. Asking them to come with me wasn’t in the cards because I had no clue what the hell lay in front of me. Kayla may’ve been an adult, but she was still my sister, and I wouldn’t risk her, and I certainly wouldn’t risk my twelve-year-old nephew, either. It was best if they remained here, where they were safe, and once I landed on my feet, I could reach out.
I ignored the ache in my heart at the thought of leaving my only family behind. If I gave it any attention, I’d break down in sobs, and I didn’t have time for that.
Ethan would keep an eye on them, and I knew he wouldn’t let me down. I nodded and blew out a breath, some of the tension leaving me. “Thank you.”
He nodded.
“And… I need you to help me get on one of these airships.”
He grimaced. “You wanna stowaway on an airship? Are you crazy?”
“I have to get away, Eth. No one will let me on their ship once my name gets out. And that’s gonna happen any second now. And anyway, I can’t afford to pay for passage.”
He blew out a frustrated breath but nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. Just… okay, go to the last dock. There’s an airship called The White Swan. They’re headed to Asteris. Pretty sure they’re docking in Gearhart City.”
That was the kingdom’s capital and likely a very crowded city—all the better for me to disappear in.
Ethan continued, “The inspector already gave them the go-ahead, so they’re free to take off whenever.”
“The White Swan. Got it.”
“When we were loading up their supplies, I overheard the first mate say they’re leaving today. Last I checked, most of the crew was still off ship. You should be able to sneak on. If there’s too many aeronauts on that one, go to the next airship over. The inspector started on that end and is making his way down, so he should be finished with a couple over there by now.”
I nodded, relieved I’d found him here because I had no idea how any of this stuff worked. I’d never worked on the docks or been on an airship.
“Thank you, Eth.”
He gave me an awkward nod-shrug thing that made me smile at my friend.
Since I knew this was probably going to be the last time I’d ever see him, I gave him a quick hug. He patted my back a few times, and when I pulled back, I said again, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Just… be careful.”
“I will. Tell Kayla and Cody that I’m sorry, I love them, and that I’ll send for them as soon as I can.”
“Will do. Don’t worry about them. Kayla’s strong, and Cody’s a lot like her. They’ll be alright.”
I sure as hellfire hoped so. “Thanks.”
“I’ll keep an eye on them. Now go before you get caught and you get me in trouble.” He shot me a small smile. “Good luck, Kas.”
“Thanks.” I gave him a wave, turned on my heel, and headed toward the other end of the harbor.
There was a new ache in my chest now, but I did my best to ignore that one too.
My heart hammered in my ribcage when I saw a group of guards gathering, and I did my best to stay under their radar. They were standing in a group, talking, and if I wasn’t mistaken, the head guard was telling them to be on the lookout for me. Luckily, there was a line of crates I ducked behind as I rushed away from them.
When I was far enough away, I walked down the sidewalk along the harbor, exuding confidence and pretending I belonged here. Sometimes the best way to get away with something was to act self-assured and calm. If you were a fidgeting mess, you looked suspicious.
I made it all the way to the last dock and walked past the airship in question, then found a spot in the shadows to sit and watch. I couldn’t help but gape at its majesty as I thought about actually boarding it. I had no doubt it was crewed by a lot of people. If I had to guess, I’d say likely around a hundred people. Which was good. A ship that big would make it easier for me to hide.
