“We’re outta time!” I cry.
“Almost there!” Jav yells.
And then—just ahead—Garkin’s ship appears.
Like it tears itself out of the dark.
The ramp lowers.
“Get them inside!” Jav shouts, skidding to a stop, turning to face the oncoming ship.
I hesitate.
“Now, Kairo!”
I don’t argue.
I run, legs screaming, lungs on fire. I leap onto the ramp, cradling Ben close.
Inside, Garkin grabs my arm, pulls me in. “Where the hell is Jav?!”
I turn just in time to see him shoot out one of the enemy ship’s side vents, causing it to spiral, sparks flying.
Then he runs.
Jumps.
Lands hard on the ramp as Garkin lifts us off.
I drop to my knees, Ben still wrapped in my arms, and watch the League compound burn behind us.
The flames are bright.
Ugly.
Too familiar.
Jav slams the ramp closed and drops beside me. He’s panting, blood streaking his temple, armor scorched.
I grab his face.
“I told you—never again. You hear me?”
His hand covers mine. “Yeah,” he breathes. “Loud and clear.”
CHAPTER 40
JAV
We land on Haven-7 in silence.
Not the comfortable kind. Not the shared-exhaustion kind either.
The other kind.
The kind that says everything loud without anyone opening their mouth.
Kairo doesn’t look at me.
