Page 41 of Under the Iron Sky

Raina was standing at the bottom of the steps, her face twisted with quiet worry. “Room for one more?”

Theron shuffled to the right without a word, clearing space for her and holding out a hand in case she wanted help lowering herself onto the steps.

She didn’t.

It took a great deal of effort to make sure she didn’t trip over her long burnt-orange robes, but Raina managed it.

“Well done,” Theron said as she settled beside him. Her bony shoulder dug into his. Was she eating enough? Probably not, but she always got so pissy if he ever brought it up, and he really wasn’t up for another beating right now. He filed it away for tomorrow. “I was worried you were gonna kiss the marble for a second there.”

Raina tipped her head back and chuckled. He loved that laugh. It was the same one she’d had since childhood, throaty and deep, almost a snort. So much of the world had changed, but it was one of the few things that remained.

She tilted her head just enough to meet his gaze, her red hair spilling over his arm. “How are you holding up?”

“How do you think?”

Understanding swept over her features—a sentiment that the rusting parakeet that’d taken residence on top of her head did not share. “That is not an answer,” he said sternly.

One of Jinx’s ears twitched, and the bird was suddenly deeply fascinated by the swirling golden patterns on Raina’s robes.

“What’s on your mind?” she asked after a long moment. Theron followed her gaze to the mural above, wondering if she saw what he did.

“I should’ve done more,” he eventually replied.

“You can’t think like that. Raya’s always had a mind of her own. She wouldn’t have done what she did unless she thought there was no other way.”

True, but it didn’t soften the pain in his chest. No matter what had happened between them, Soraya was always willing to sacrifice whatever needed to be sacrificed for the greater good. She’d always done everything for everyone else, never asking for anything in return. And then when she’d needed him, he’d left her.

“I know.” Theron cleared the stones lodged in his throat. “I just wish there was something I could do for her now, that’s all.”

Raina’s eyes drifted to her cane, and she fiddled with the scuffed eagle top that Soraya had made for her birthday a few years ago. Her spine must’ve been giving her more trouble than she was letting on if she was using it again. Or maybe she just found comfort having it close by. “What if I told you there was?”

Theron’s eyes slid back up to her face. “What do you mean?”

She bit her bottom lip. He remained quiet, but he could see the cogs in her mind turning, debating how to answer. Theron let her sort them out.

“What if I told you,” she eventually whispered, and leaned in close like she used to when they were kids, in that way that had him leaning in too, “that before she was captured, Soraya was meeting a traitor from the other side who was feeding her information?”

It took far longer than it should have for the meaning of her words to register in his head. He sat up a little straighter. “You’re not serious.”

Voice low, Raina rushed through an explanation she’d clearly rehearsed before coming to find him: how Soraya had been meeting a Dar’rak defector for years, the secrets he’d given them, the lives he’d saved.

When she was done, Theron thought his head might explode. “And she’s been meeting him all on her own?”

Raina gave a grave nod.

“Why didn’t she say anything? If I’d known I could have gone with her—or for her. Shared the load.”

“You know Raya. She’s never one to share a burden she can carry alone—not if it can make anyone else’s life even a fraction easier. The only reason she told me was because I caught her in a vulnerable moment.” Raina dragged her nails over the scratches on the eagle’s head. “I think you should go in her place.”

“You think he’ll still show up? If he’s so high ranking then surely he knows Soraya’s been captured.” And possibly killed, but Theron couldn’t say those words out loud. Wouldn’t.

“I do. He’s risking everything to help us. He’s clearly got some motivation or vendetta against his own that’s pushed him this far, and I can’t imagine that would change just because Soraya’s been captured.”

Possibly. Possibly not. They were clutching at straws here, but it was the most alive Theron had felt since Soraya had shot his jet.

“When was her next meeting supposed to be?” he asked.

“Tonight.”