The Genesis Engine.
I wanted to scream at him. Yet when I looked into his eyes, I saw a desperation that made my fury falter. My heart pulled in opposite directions—the part that felt used warring with the part that understood his impossible position. I couldn't decide which feeling to trust.
"How long have you known?" I asked quietly. "That you neededmeto do this?"
His face hardened into shadow, eyes like cold fire, burning with naked desperation. "Since the void storm," he said. "You're not just a rift. You're what the ancients whispered about in their prophecies." He rose and stalked toward me, slowly, carefully. "I should have told you then. Should have confessed what I truly needed from the power that sleeps inside you since those three days you were trapped in the dark."
A small voice in the back of my mind whispered that maybe this tentative friendship between us had been built on a foundation of necessary lies and nothing else. Yet, hadn't I seen genuine fear in his eyes as I was pulled over the ship's railing? He dove into the darkness after me with no certainty that I'dhave the power to get us back. Was Cypher really just a cold, fallen prince who needed me to fix him?
"I need time to think," I said, hating how my voice wobbled. I didn't cry often, but right now tears made my eyes sting.
His jaw tightened as shadows deepened across the hollows of his face. He didn't like my answer, but it was the only answer he'd be getting tonight. He stepped closer—close enough that I felt the heat from his body, smelled the leather of his coat and rain on his skin. "The handoff with Gideon is tomorrow at noon," he said. My pulse quickened when his fingers brushed mine, barely touching. "Whatever you decide, I'll respect it."
I left his cabin and fled to mine, my throat tight and my eyes stinging. Kora was there, already in bed but not asleep.
"Everything okay?" she asked.
"I don't know," I admitted. "I really don't know."
I climbed into my bunk and stared at the ceiling, my heart pulling in opposite directions. Part of me wanted to march back to Cypher's cabin and tell him I wasn't some tool for him to use as he pleased. Another part whispered that his desperation felt genuine, that this could be a chance to give a better life to a lot of innocent people.
Tomorrow we'd meet with Gideon. Hand over the codex. I'd get my money, save my father.
And then what? Stay with the people who'd become like family, or return to the life I was supposed to want?
Both choices felt wrong somehow.
The meetingwith Gideon was set for noon. Cypher insisted the entire crew come—a show of force, he called it. Safety in numbers. I wore my best clothes and the First Anchor prominently around my neck. If Gideon tried anything, I wanted him to see what I was capable of. What I'd become.
We arrived precisely on time. The same terra elemental woman answered the door, but this time her expression held a flicker of respect when she saw Cypher wearing the crown under his hood. She led us to a private room in the back, away from prying eyes.
Gideon sat behind an enormous desk. He stood when we entered, his calculating eyes sweeping over our group before settling on Cypher. I noticed his fingers twitch, as if he was seconds from drawing a weapon. As if it was second nature to expect trouble. I would be glad when business with Pike was over and done.
"Captain. I see you survived Nytheris."
"As promised." Cypher pulled the codex from his pack and set it on the desk. "The codex. As requested."
Gideon reached for it almost reverently, his fingers trembling slightly as they touched the leather binding. "Incredible. I never actually believed it existed."
"It exists. And it's yours, as per our agreement." Cypher's voice was flat. "Now. Payment."
"Of course." Gideon pulled out two heavy coin purses and set them on the desk. "Five thousand two hundred and fifty sovereigns for the girl, minding your negotiated advance. Twenty thousand for you. As agreed."
I stepped forward and took my purse, feeling its weight. This was it. Enough money to hire the best lawyer in the city. Enough to save my father.
"Pleasure doing business with you," Gideon said, already opening the codex. His eyes widened as he saw the first page. "This is... the original Nytherian script. I'll need time to have it translated."
"Take all the time you need," Cypher said. "We'll be leaving the city within two weeks."
Gideon looked up then. "Leaving? Why the rush?"
"I have business elsewhere. Personal business. I'm sure you understand."
Something flickered across Gideon's face, but he simply nodded. "Of course. Safe travels, Captain."
We left quickly, not speaking until we were several streets away. Then Jask let out a breath. "That went better than expected."
"Too well," I said. "Did you see his face when Cypher mentioned leaving? He suspected something."
