I started to answer, and turned it into an “Mmm, tasty.”

“Good. That’s probably best. I have a feeling my brother might be listening, too.”

I wouldn’t doubt it.

Carl stepped through the door. “What is this? A party? Everyone out but Maité.”

Ahiga spared Carl a little glance. “Just wishing her luck.” He gave me a nod and left.

“I’ll have her ready to go in five,” Santiago said. “Just got to get that panel closed up.”

“Good,” Carl said, dismissing Santiago. “You ready, kid?”

“As ready as I can be.” I took a breath. “When do I leave?”

“As soon as Santiago gives you the thumbs-up.”

Even though I had no food in my stomach except for a single bite of tasteless biscuit, I was pretty sure I was going to barf. “Okay.” I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead.

He patted the pilot’s chair. “Get comfortable. I’ll let you know when you’re cleared.”

“Thanks.”

Carl stepped out of the ship, closing the door behind him, and the sounds of the launch bay cut off. My heart fluttered in my chest as I sat down in the chair. The vinyl was ripped and patched together, but it was comfortable enough. The faint stench of sweat had seeped into the material, but I didn’t care. All I wanted was to make it through the day alive.

I closed my eyes. Please, let me make it through today alive.

Six in. Three out. Three in. Six out. Four in.

I wasn’t sure what was going to happen on the moon, but I was scared—terrified—of making a wrong move, especially when I was so close to getting away from here.

I glanced back at the stack of flattened containers. Ten of them. Each one would hold ten pounds of crystal.

I couldn’t just sit there waiting, so I decided to check over all the equipment. I’d already done that with Santiago, but it couldn’t hurt to take another look.

“How’re you doing?” Declan’s voice startled me. “Your vitals are a little off the charts.”

I laughed to keep myself from crying. “If only someone could lie to me and tell me I can get through this…” I muttered softly. I bent down and counted the containers. Ten. It didn’t seem like a lot, but I knew it was going to be much harder than I thought.

“I don’t need to lie. You’re going to be fine. Soon you’ll be back with your mom, Roan, and Jorge. In a few months, Abaddon and everything that happened there will all feel like ancient history.”