Not even for an entire planet? a small voice in the back of my head whispers. As much as I try to push it away, I know what the right thing to do is… but how can I ask that of my siblings? We’ve been through so much already.

Shey moves closer, her face gentle. She reaches up to grab the back of my neck and pull my lips down to meet hers. One brief kiss, and she steps away again.

“I understand,” she says, but slips her hand out of my grip when I try to hold on to her. “No matter what choice you make, I understand. None of this is your responsibility.”

“It’s not yours, either. Come with us.”

“It is my responsibility. As I said, I gave them my word.” She steps back farther. “Goodbye, Scorpia. I…” She hesitates. “Words aren’t enough. But… thank you.”

“Don’t do this.” The words come out so softly that I’m not sure she hears them. But even if she does, she turns away from me and heads down the dock toward the doomed island. Despite knowing the clock is ticking, I watch her go until she’s no longer in sight, not trusting myself not to follow her until she’s really gone. I suck in a deep breath, digging my nails into my hand in an effort to stop myself from breaking into tears. Once I manage to get my emotions under control, I turn and race down the dock to the ship.

I’m surprised that my siblings aren’t waiting impatiently on the ramp or trying to spy on me and Shey. Instead, I find them huddled around Lyre in the cargo bay, murmuring among themselves. She’s staring down at her comm, while Drom has her arms wrapped around herself and her head lowered. Corvus looks up at me, his expression troubled. My steps slow, my rush to tell them the news stopped by sudden dread as the realization hits me. Leonis clearly isn’t happy about our interference in her plans… and she has our brother at her mercy.

I can’t bring myself to ask, so instead I stare at Lyre, waiting for the news.

“We just received two messages from Gaia,” she says. “They’re labeled with your name.”

“Okay.” The word comes out little more than a breath. “Show me.” I step closer and put an arm around Corvus, hugging him close to me as we watch the bar finish loading. Lyre silently hits the play button.