Page 122 of Bound By Stars
The second has already departed, so I hurry to the third, powering it up. The machine hums to life.
I grip the door, backing halfway out and taking in the tiny two-seat interior. There can’t be enough air in here for one person, let alone five. The thought slips between my lips. “It’s too small.”
“Is it safe?” Curran peers inside.
“Safer thanthisship.” Skye passes him, touching my arm as she squeezes by me. “It’ll be tight, but we can make it work.”
Pressing my back against the doorway, I ball my trembling hands into fists. Skye’s right. We’re out of options.
ILSA rolls past me, connecting to the pod’s controls. “This vessel is fully operational.”
Skye sits in one of the two seats and scoots to the side to make room for sharing. She smiles at me and pats the spot next to her. “That’s enough assurance for me. Everyone in.”
I force out my breath and roll my shoulders. We have a way out. We’re going to make it. I lean out the door, waving to Reve and Jupiter. “Let’s go, boys.”
Reve marches to a storage wall, throwing open drawers. Metal bits clank with each pull until he finds what he’s searching for, slamming the last one closed. He approaches Curran from behind, grabbing his hands, pinning them behind his back, and fastening a zip tie around his wrists.
“What the hell are you doing?” Jupiter grabs Reve’s arm, but he shoves him to the floor.
“He stays.” Reve pushes Curran away from the pod.
Jupiter scrambles to his feet.
I step between them, putting my hand up for him to stop.
Reve meets my eyes. He knows Curran wanted me dead. I don’t know how, but he knows. “ILSA, break the ties. We’re not leaving anyone to die.”
Glaring at Reve, Jupiter helps Curran into the pod.
Reve turns to me. “But he—”
I shake my head, and his mouth snaps shut. “Let’s go. All of us.”
He makes a sound in his throat. “These are spares, Wes. Only built for two passengers.”
“We’ll make it work.”
Reve frowns. “Not with ILSA. We won’t fit.”
All of us plus ILSA make six.
“ILSA, exit the pod,” I command, my voice cracking.
She obeys. “His calculation is correct. My added weight could make the vessel too unstable for docking.”
My eyes sting, and I squeeze them shut. I can rebuild ILSA. I can’t rebuild Reve. But leaving her behind still feels like sending a friend to their death.
“You still have a better chance without me and…I owe you that.” He brushes my hair away from my face, forcing a smile, and then takes a step back. “I’m so sorry, Wes.”
“What…you don’t owe me…” I follow his movement, shaking my head. There’s no time for this. “Get in the pod, Reve!”
“Get out of here before it’s too late.” His voice is calm, his eyes soft. With one last lopsided smile, he turns and runs.
I launch for him, but Jupiter catches me, squeezing both arms around me tight as I fight against him.
“Damn it, Reve,” I shout after him.
The ship rattles around us.
