These Rebel Waves

She felt the ache of watching Vex leave her on the deck of this ship, knowing that that was the last time she would see him, and that he would die now, too. She wouldn’t be able to save him.

Edda held him back, and the panic on his face was so potent Lu almost rescinded her order. No, let him stay, please, don’t leave me—

Edda, her face a mask of agony, hefted Vex overboard as she jumped.

Milo slid out the blade and released her. Lu dropped, the Lazonade’s numbness cresting over her. She told herself she should be writhing, she should feel something—

“ADELUNA!” Vex screamed.

As she hit the deck and Ben dove for her, lifting her head in the crook of his elbow, she saw Vex, by the railing.

She would take down the defensors nearest Ben with Gunnar’s help and haul him out as Edda hauled Vex, and they could leap off together.

Lu ignored Vex’s cries and searched again for Ben, rotating the now-empty pistol to use as a club.

But Lu needed Ben to create the permanent magic. And, selfishly, she needed Ben to find the cure for Vex.

“Go, Edda!” Lu screamed, twisting back once. “Get him off this ship!”

Vex heard her. Edda—loyal, determined Edda—grabbed him and heaved him back, but Vex dropped his heels into the wood.

“Stop! LU!”

Nothing else mattered until the Argridians could no longer use Vex against her. Until every member of his crew was off this ship and safe.

She gave them cover with a shot from her pistol. The defensors dropped back, created room, and Lu wanted to look at Vex.

But she couldn’t. Not now.

Lu turned to him for one second. One goddamn second, and Vex’s panic rushed through his body before he knew why.

Lu grabbed Edda in the pause. “Get Vex off this ship,” she told her. Begged her.