He’s absolutely right, of course. But how he can’t see that I’m also correct about his best interests is beyond me.
God save me from stupid people.“True, but not the point I’m making,” I say.
I risk a quick glance over my shoulder to where I left Kane. I can’t hear him moving anymore. And, of course, without the damn light that Reed is carrying, I can’t see anything, either.
My limited patience frays to the breaking point.
“Look,” I say flatly. “I don’t like you, but you could be useful.” Well, more likely his father. Assuming we can get off theAuroraand in contact with the senior Mr. Darrow, a still-living Reed might prove a valuable bargaining chip if his father is as important as Reed says he is. Reed’s father might be willing to take on Verux—or the faction in charge of this mission, at least—for the life of his kid, assuming we can get word to him. “My goal is to keep you alive and get you out of here. Can you say the same thing for anyone else on this fucking ship?”
Reed hesitates, and that’s answer enough for me. I snatch the light out of his hand.
“Hey!” he protests.
But when I head back toward where I left Kane, Reed reluctantly trails behind me.
Kane is no longer outside the suite we escaped. The empty hallway makes my heart thunder hard in panic.
Where is he?
I stick the upper half of my body into the suite to be sure he didn’t get confused and wiggle back in. But as far as I can see with the dim light, he’s not here.
Shit.
I pull myself back out. Where did he go? If he’s off wandering the ship, I might never find him. At least, not before one of the security team members.
“Kane!” I call as loudly as I dare.
Reed shushes me, just to be an asshole, and I ignore him.
But then I hear something, not quite a response, or even a word. More a murmur of sound. Coming from the bridge.
I head toward that direction as fast as I can.
It’s slightly brighter on the bridge, thanks to the starlight from the windows and the pale glow of the control boards.
Kane is crouched in front of an open panel beneath the navigational controls, muttering to himself as he threads through the loose wires, seemingly looking for something.
I still don’t know much about theAurora’s bridge layout, but I’m betting that the sound dampeners aren’t located in that particular equipment bank.
I ease up closer to him. “Kane?”
He doesn’t glance up from his work. “We need to go after her. It’s been too long. We have to find a way.”
Her.Does he mean me?
I clear my throat. “Kane. It’s me. I’m here.” I grab his hand, stilling its anxious movements among the wires.
He looks up at me, but also through me. I’ve never felt so invisible and the sensation makes my heart cant weirdly in my chest. “I see her all the time, Ny,” Kane says, his expression haunted. “I see her right now.”
I squeeze his hand. “You did it,” I remind him. “You came after me. I’m here.”
“This is a touching reunion,” Reed hisses. “But you promised me getting out of here alive.”
Nowhe’s nervous? Probably finally had enough time for the adrenaline to wear off and my logic to sink in.
“I need to turn off the dampeners,” I tell Kane.
“Why?” Reed asks behind me. “What good willthatdo?”
