“If we push them any harder, we might lose them altogether.” Amina’s answer was measured and calm, but only on the surface.

Caledonia turned hungry eyes westward. As their thirst increased, their tempers shortened and tensions were most keen between Blades and the crew of the Mors Navis. They needed to find a source of fresh water. It was out there. They were so close now her mind filled in the faint impression of cliffs where the Rock Isles should be.

“Divert all unnecessary power to the engines,” she ordered. “Water pumps, air filtration, anything else we don’t need to move this ship forward.”

The team nodded, motivated by an immediate plan of action, but Caledonia felt it only dimly as she turned her steps toward her cabin.

Exhaustion hung from every bone in her body, and she tried not to dwell on the hollow feeling in her belly as she readied herself to see the Sly King. Last time she’d been in his town, she’d had the scales of their destroyed sun sail to trade and he’d proved untrustworthy. Aric’s bounty had been too much to pass up, and the Sly King had come very close to handing her over. It was the almost part of that equation that gave her hope now. Hesperus Shreeves might obey Aric’s law most of the time, but he didn’t like it.

In the mirror, Caledonia’s cheeks curved toward the corners of her lips and her nose was as sharp as the prow of her ship. Her brown eyes were wide beneath rusty eyebrows, and her hair looked like little flames with red roots pushing up from beneath brassy blonde locks. Her skin was unevenly tanned across forehead and the bridge of her nose, marking her as a girl of the sea. She might feel tired, but she looked hard-edged.

She swapped her travel-soiled clothes for her only fresh garments, a brown close-fitted top and black pants. To complete the look, she tied Triple’s abandoned gray sash around her waist, letting the knot sit low and the fabric swing to her knee. Even knowing weapons wouldn’t be allowed in the presence of the Sly King, she strapped on her gun belt and sword. The second they spotted Cloudbreak, she intended to be ready.

A knock sounded on her door. When she opened it, she found Pisces. Instantly, the lethargy in her limbs was replaced by a nervous kind of hope. The two had been in constant contact over the past days, but rarely alone.

“Time?” Caledonia asked.

“No. Sorry.”

Caledonia waited, hoping there was more and a little worried that there wouldn’t be.

Pisces opened her mouth, then thought better of it and closed it again. Caledonia could see the resolve falling back into place as she’d seen a dozen times already. Next, she’d see the expression that confirmed they were sisters in name only. And she broke.