“That’s cowardly,” I reply, shaking my head. “I’m not going to some deserted island with you.”

Five snorts. “I didn’t invite you, Ella. I’m getting off this ship and I thought you might want to come along. That’s as far as we go.”

I consider the possibility that this could be some kind of test orchestrated by Setrákus Ra. But remembering the way Five acted earlier, I decide to take my chances that he’s for real. I hop out of bed and pull on my thin-soled Mogadorian slippers.

“Okay, what’s your plan?”

Five stands up and his skin reverts to normal. As the automatic lights come on in my room, I can finally see his face. He’s changed the bandage over his eye so that it isn’t crusty with blood anymore, but he still hasn’t gotten it healed. His remaining eye twinkles like he’s excited to get into some trouble. Seeing him makes me second-guess my decision to join forces.

“I’m going to open up one of the airlocks and jump out,” Five says, illustrating his brilliant plan.

“That’s nice for you. You can fly. What am I supposed to do?”

Five reaches into his back pocket and casually tosses me a round object. I catch the stone in my hands and cradle it. I recognize it as one of the objects from John’s Chest.

“Xitharis stone,” Five explains. “I, uh, borrowed it from our friends.”

“You stole it.”

He shrugs. “I charged it with my flight Legacy. Use it to fly off and save the planet.”

I hide the stone inside my dress, then look up at Five. “So that’s it? You think we’re just going to walk off this ship?”

Five raises an eyebrow at me. I notice that he’s not wearing any shoes or socks, probably so his bare feet are in constant contact with the metal paneling of the Anubis. Also, attached to his forearm is some kind of contraption that looks like it might be a weapon.

“They won’t be able to stop me,” Five says, a dark confidence in his voice. It isn’t exactly inspiring, but it’s the best hope I’ve got.

“Okay, lead the way.”

The door to my room slides open for Five. He pokes his head out, checking to see that the coast is clear. When he’s satisfied, Five hustles into the hallway, motioning for me to follow. We navigate the labyrinthine halls of the Anubis at a brisk walk.

“Just act normal,” Five tells me, keeping his voice low. “He’s got scouts watching us, always. But they’re also afraid of us. You, in particular, are supposed to be treated like royalty. They won’t interfere if we don’t look suspicious. And, even if they do think something’s wrong, by the time one of them actually works up the guts to tell Beloved Leader, we’ll be gone . . .”

He’s talking a lot. That tells me that he’s nervous. Without thinking about it—because if I actually thought about it, I might get too repulsed—I reach out and take Five’s hand.