Into the Still Blue (30 page)

“So that we’re clear,” Perry said, “I don’t care if it means everyone on this earth loses any chance of surviving. If you mention her to me again, I will take your head off and watch your blood pool at my feet.”

Sable’s eyes narrowed, his mouth turning up in a faint smile. “I’ve made many enemies in my life, but I do think you’re my finest achievement.” He turned back to the water. Across the southern horizon, only a mile away at points, funnels lashed down. “I did what I had to do in the Komodo. You know what happened in the Unity. I had no interest in being discarded by the Moles. In being shut out by them like some mangy dog left in the rain. No offense to your friend here. I have Dweller numbers that I can control now. That was my only intention.”

Perry wasn’t interested in Sable’s justification for what had been a slaughter. He needed to get them back on target. On the task of leaving to the Still Blue. If he focused on his hatred, the conversation would lead in a clear and violent direction.

“You said your offer is for everyone.”

“Yes,” Sable said. “There is a place for every one of them. Dweller or Outsider. That is what I’m here to offer. But you have to bring the boy.”

Perry looked down at Flea, suddenly feeling weightless. Like he had lifted out of his body and was floating upward. He saw the shape of the Tides’ coast in his mind. He saw himself there on the beach with Sable, discussing Cinder’s life like it was a bargaining tool, when it was actually a blood sacrifice.

He forced himself to finish what had begun. “When we reach the Still Blue, we separate. As soon as the journey is done, the Tides and Horns part ways.”

“We could make some kind of arrangement when we get there, I’m sure.”

“No,” Perry said. “We make an arrangement now. You walk away from my tribe.”

“Parting ways might not be the most beneficial decision. We have no idea what we’ll—”

“Swear to it or we’re done.”

Sable stared at him, his ice blue eyes calculating. Perry concentrated on keeping his breathing even. On controlling the furious beating of his heart. His thoughts were already shifting to Cinder and the conversation he’d need to have.

Sable inclined his head. “After we cross, the Tides will remain yours alone.” He was quiet for a moment, a smile spreading over his lips. “So, Peregrine,” he said. “I can uphold my side of our bargain. . . . Can you uphold yours?”

37

P
erry’s eyes flashed like daggers as he came back into the cave.

He strode up to Aria, his expression intent and feral, barely pausing as he leaned in to her. “I have to talk to Cinder,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

He asked for Cinder and Marron and then he was off, making a direct path to the Battle Room.

Aria watched him go, her heart beating hard in her chest. What had just happened? What had Sable said? She looked around, seeing dazed looks on the faces of everyone around her.

“Did I miss something?” Straggler asked.

“I think we all did,” said Brooke.

They had expected a decision, news of some arrangement with Sable, but the waiting wasn’t over yet. Slowly, one by one, the crowd dissipated.

Roar stood in a small circle with the Six, exchanging ideas about what might have happened. Aria tried to follow their conversation, but she couldn’t concentrate.

“Aria,” Brooke said, walking up. “Do you have some time?”

Aria nodded. She moved away from Roar and the others and sat heavily on the wooden platform.

“I didn’t see you last night,” Brooke said, sitting next to her. “I mean I saw you, but we didn’t have a chance to talk.”

She was making an effort to be friendly, finally, but Aria felt numb. Her mind was on Perry, and she couldn’t think of anything to say in return.

Brooke looked away; her eyes scanned the darkness before coming back to Aria.

“When you first came to the Tides, I had lost Liv. And . . . Perry, too, in a way. You even took Roar, which I didn’t realize I’d care about as much as I do—”

“I didn’t
take
anyone.”

“I know,” Brooke said. “That’s what I’m trying to say. I know you didn’t, but it felt that way. When you came, everything that was mine suddenly became yours . . . except for Clara. You brought my sister back. You got her out of that Pod, and she matters more to me than everything else. Anyway, I wanted to thank you. And . . . sorry it took me a while to say it,” she added. Brooke stood and walked away.

Aria watched her go. She hadn’t forgotten how badly Brooke had behaved, but on top of those memories were better ones. Newer ones. Brooke’s bravery during the mission. Her loyalty to both Perry and Roar. Her quick wit with Soren.

That gave her an idea. Aria jumped up and caught up with her. “Brooke!”

She stopped, suddenly guarded. “What?”

“I could use your help with something,” Aria said. “If you’re willing.”

Brooke shrugged. “Sure.”

Aria took her to the Dweller cavern, explaining on the way. Inside, they found Jupiter, Rune, Caleb, and Soren sitting in a circle, playing a game with tattered cards.

She and Brooke sat down without waiting for an invitation.

Brooke nodded to Jupiter in greeting. Then she raised her hands and wiggled her fingers in the air. “Hi, Soren,” she said.

Soren smiled for the first time since his father had died. It was a tired smile, a little sad, too, but it was a smile. He lifted his hands, wiggling back as he said, “Hi, Laurel.”

They were teasing each other, but for a second Aria thought she saw something gentle pass between them.

Then Brooke looked at Rune and said, “How do you play this game?”

“You
want to
play
?” Rune challenged. Her eyes flicked to Aria. It was clear she knew this was Aria’s idea.

Brooke shook her head. “I don’t want to play; I want to win. But if you give me the rules, I’ll take it from there.”

Her confidence stunned Rune, whose mouth went slack.

Soren sat up, scooting closer into their circle. “I need to see this.”

A grin spread over Jupiter’s face. He dropped an arm around Rune’s shoulders. “Go on, Ru. Teach her.”

Caleb glanced at Aria, smiling in giddy anticipation. She could almost read his thoughts. Rune and Brooke were either going to attack each other, or become fast friends before this was over.

Aria already knew the outcome.

She watched them play, trying her best to keep her thoughts here instead of on Perry and Cinder.

Some time later, Talon and Willow came running. “Aria! He’s out!”

She shot to her feet and hurried back to the main cave. Her friends followed her. Other Dwellers came too. With every step Aria took, her anxiety increased.

The Tides were somber and tense as they crowded around the stage. She searched every face standing around the stage twice but she didn’t see Perry.

Marron climbed up to the platform, smoothing the front of his shirt as he waited for people to give him their attention. His blue eyes found Aria. The look he sent her—sorry, worried—made her knees soften.

“Peregrine is with Cinder,” Marron said. “He’ll be along soon, but since time is of the essence, he asked me to make this announcement on his behalf.”

He addressed the Tides calmly, without changing the tone or volume of his voice. Drawing a breath, he continued. “An agreement has been reached with the Horns. We’re leaving. We’re joining them on the journey to the Still Blue.”

The crowd thrummed with surprise and cries of celebration. Amid the happy sounds were others, angry voices and harsh words.

“That can’t be right,” Roar said. “Perry would never join up with Sable.”

“Not unless he’s lost his mind,” said Soren.

Reef’s and Twig’s reactions were less coherent. A stream of curses poured from their mouths.

Marron waited for quiet to return before he spoke again. “He did indeed reach an agreement with Sable. There is passage to the Still Blue for anyone who desires it. Certainly, though, none of you are forced to come. Let there be no mistake: the journey there will be far from safe, and the destination itself is something of a question. What we know is this: Here, your life is certain to be over shortly. Our food stores are down to days. We have no wood to warm this cave beyond the end of the week. . . . We have exhausted everything. Whether you decide to take a chance on something else, be it better or worse than this, is up to you.”

A murmur moved through the crowd. Jokes about who was mad enough to stay. Aria heard them through a haze.

Marron continued to speak. He gave instructions on the preparations that were needed. Aria watched Bear and Molly and the Six leave to coordinate the groups. The logistics of their exodus.

Exodus
.

The word fixed in her mind, grave-sounding. Unbelievable, despite how many months she’d anticipated this moment.

They were
leaving
.

The crowd thinned once again as people rushed off to gather their belongings.

Aria didn’t move. Roar and Soren had stayed behind with her. They were both watching her like they expected her to say something, so she did.

“Why is he still in there, Roar?”

“Because he knows what this means, and he doesn’t want to do it.”

“Which
he
?” she asked. “Cinder or Perry?”

“My guess?” Roar said. “Both.”

Within minutes, the cave bustled with activity as the Tides began packing and organizing their supplies for the journey. Food and blankets. Medicines and weapons. Everything was culled down to the most essential items and loaded in storage crates.

Sable sent two dozen of his own soldiers to assist them. Unsurprisingly, they were led by her father.

Loran barely glanced at Aria as he entered the cave. She, on the other hand, couldn’t stop watching him.

She was relieved to see him. Thrilled and terrified. For nineteen years they hadn’t seen each other, but now fate had brought them together several times.

Right away he and the Horns set a tone of dominance. Their assistance took the shape of tersely issued commands and berating comments. The Tides quickly grew tight-lipped and anxious. Only a few pushed back, refusing to be ordered. Reef and the Six held their ground, as did Bear and Molly. When Twig got into a shoving match with one of the Horns that nearly turned bloody, Aria had seen enough.

She pulled Loran aside. Her heart was racing. “Your men are too harsh. You don’t have to treat them this way.”

Loran crossed his arms, covering the horn emblem on his chest. He was shorter than Perry, narrower in the shoulders. Fit for a man his age.

Aria scowled at him. “What, now you’ve got nothing to say?”

His dark eyebrows lifted. “Actually, I’m interested in hearing your idea of how I should treat people.”

She reeled back, stung, though he hadn’t spoken harshly. If anything, he’d sounded amused.

Loran looked away from her, surveying the activity around the cave.

Aria waited for him to leave.
She
should leave after a comment like that, but she couldn’t. Something kept her feet planted.

Her gaze fell to the horns on his uniform. She wanted him to be someone different. Someone who would see the scene around her the same way. Someone who never would have left her, or her mother.

Loran’s gray eyes came back to hers, his expression both frustrated and hopeful. It occurred to her that she might be looking at him the same way.

“The Hovers don’t have endless supplies of fuel. The Horns are out there—exposed—and the storm in the south is not
south
anymore. It is bearing down on us. East and north are no better. West is all that’s left. The only way we can go is toward water, but that won’t be an option for much longer.

“My men and I aren’t interested in
almost
surviving, Aria. Perhaps that desire looks like harshness to you, but I would rather be alive and cruel than dead and kind.”

“Did you mean what you said about wanting a chance to know me?”

The question passed through her lips before she knew it. Loran blinked at her, as surprised as she was.

“Yes,” he said.

“Even if you learn that there’s a part of me that hates you?”