“Hey.”
There’s a pause, long enough that I figure the connection cut out. Then I hear Cassius’s voice, small and quiet coming from the tiny speaker.
“Hi.”
Another pause. I struggle to come up with something to say.
“Is there something wrong?”
“No,” he replies.
“Okay.” The elevator doors open and I arrive on Level Three. I crane my neck up and down the hallway, looking for agents. It’s empty for now. Still, I hurry toward my room.
“Listen,” he clears his throat. “Can we talk?”
I plug in the code to my room and open the door, slipping inside. “About what?”
He sighs, voice still low. “You know, just… talk. About things.”
“Yeah.” I slump face down on my unmade bed, turning the speaker’s volume up and setting it against the pillow.
Time to meet my brother. For real this time-without Madame or Alkine telling us what to say or do.
Two kids standing on opposite sides of a cold war. And still we managed to find each other. Now, linked across thousands of miles by little more than a shared frequency, we’re united. It’s just like our mother said. We need the time to build trust. After all, we’ve got twelve years to make up for.
I close my eyes and focus on his voice… imagining a future where all of us are together. Cassius. Our parents. Avery.
“I took down the Lodge’s central radar system,” he mutters in a tone that doesn’t sound quite happy or sad. “They’ll be off your case for the time being.”
“Thanks,” I reply. “Where are you heading?”
He clears his throat. “I’m gonna try to sneak through the Canadian Border… maybe head up to the Polar Cities until I can figure out what to do next.”
“We’re on course for Siberia,” I start. “You’re welcome to-”
“Not yet,” he interrupts. “You go ahead. I need some time to think.”
“Is it safe? I mean, what if Madame’s still alive?”
“You let me worry about that,” he replies. “Just… if you find them… if one of those Pearls you break is our mom or dad, let me know. Okay?”
“Of course.”
“Even after all I’ve done,” he continues. “You’ve gotta let me know.”
“Yeah,” I say. “Sure.”
Sirens blare through the com-pad’s speaker, interrupting Cassius’s voice. Then rustling. Panting.
I grab the receiver and hold it to my mouth. “Cassius, are you okay?”
The response comes seconds later. “Fine. I’ve gotta go, all right?”
“All right. I’ll talk to you-”
The connection fractures. I set the device on my pillow and sit at the edge of the bed.
As Skyship Academy drifts over the Pacific, away from Fringe Towns and Chosen Cities, I try not to think about what lies ahead. Siberia’s only the start. Getting away with this… breaking Pearls while the Unified Party remains strong-I can’t do it alone. Cassius can’t either.
They’ll want to shut us down, come at us from every angle until we’re both under their control. Or worse yet, dead.
I recline on the mattress and stare at the ceiling, exhausted. One thing’s for sure: I’ve really gotta start taking my training more seriously.