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“She worth it?” Max lowered his volume to a near whisper the howling wind threatened to snatch away.

Travis slid his gaze back to Jewels, who quickly tore her eyes off him and turned to stare at the waves. Was this stupid sound barrier working at all? Or was he making a complete ass of himself in front of the girl he liked? His life had alreadyplummeted so far down the shitter, it wouldn’t surprise him if the universe decided to embarrass him, too.

“Still figuring that out,” he muttered. He dropped his attention to the puddled water and sopping seaweed on the deck. “I don’t even know if she likes me that much,” he admitted. He picked at the dirt and salt caked on his gloves.

“You’ve had—what, one date?” Max asked.

“Yup. And it came with an assassination attempt.” He snorted a laugh. His love life, as of late, was one big tragedy.

“Give it some time,” Max encouraged. Travis refrained from being a dick by not pointing out that time was the one thing none of them had anymore. He at least wanted to get laid before he died. One last hookup. He vowed to make it a good one. Max added, “We’re kind of in the same situation, actually. You and I.” Travis gave him a quizzical look. Was he having problems with Dallas? Seeing the look on his face, Max said, “Bit different, though.” He gestured subtly to where Maya Reacher sat on the deck closest to Malakai and Aspen’s seats. Magenta and Dominic were with her. None of them were talking, all of them looking miserable. Apart from Dominic. The Angel always tried to look on the bright side in any situation, no matter how bleak.

‘Bright side?’Noble rumbled.‘When he finds the bright side in this catastrophe, pray let me know.’

“She still not talking to you?” Travis asked.

“Hardly. I’m surprised I even got her to come with us, honestly. If everything that went down with that Onyx guy never happened, she probably would’ve stayed behind. Not that it matters anymore.” Max scowled up at the forcefield. “We’re all dead meat. I’m half expecting her to ditch the minute we hit the docks.”

“If she does, there’s nothing you can do,” Travis said. He gazed out at the Control Tower pulsing with energy in the rain-battered heart of Yveswich, and sighed. “I need to find a way to contact Roman.”

Max looked sidelong at him. “He’ll flip the minute he finds out you’re in here.”

“Yeah, which is exactly what I don’t want.” He massaged his throbbing left temple in a circular motion. The thought of Roman, who already carried so much weight on his shoulders, being burdened with thiscatastrophe, as Noble had called it, was…not a good thought. But neither was the idea of never talking to him and Pax again. “But…” He switched to vigorously rubbing his ear. It felt like there was water in it. “I want to tell him I’m sorry, you know?” He cleared his throat, the muscles tight. “For all of it. Not just this.” His eyes started to burn. He blamed it on the salt.

“You’re talking like you’re already dead.”

“Feels like it.”

“We’ve still got time,” Max said. “We’ll figure something out. Besides—” It was his turn to clear his throat, his words coming out strangled. “—Roark’s daughter is here. Roark is the one who sent the helicopter. Maybe he can get the authorities to let us out.” Despite his words, he looked skeptical. Max had very little faith in Roark—theyallhad very little faith in Roark. Expecting him to achieve the impossible task of lowering the forcefield just so a small group of people—out ofmillions—could get out was…a lot to ask.

Still, Travis said, “Maybe.” Because hope was what they both needed right now.

They docked as close to shore as they could get. The marina was crowded, and part of the dock looked like it had recently been destroyed, leaving even less room.

Malakai and Aspen jumped out and fastened the spring lines. The rest of them disembarked once the boat was secure, boots thumping on soggy wood. The coastline was eerily quiet, noother people around. Seagulls scavenged for food, caring about nothing but their next meal. Travis wished he could be like them—stealing fries and shitting on the heads of unsuspecting people. What a life.

“We need to decide on a plan,” Max said as everyone gathered around.

“We could go back to Roman’s,” Dominic suggested, peeling a strand of dark hair out of his eyes. His black wings were so waterlogged, they drooped. “Now that he and Pax are gone, I highly doubt Donovan will have his eye on the place.”

“You’re right,” Dallas agreed. “It’s probably one of the safest places there is.”

“It’s a good idea, but it’s a little far,” Aspen pointed out.

“Look at us!” Jewels said, flinging her arms—sleeves completely drenched—out at her sides. “We’re soaked and freezing. I say we find accommodations somewhere closer so we can dry off and rest up, or we’re all going to die of hypothermia.”

“I know where I’m going,” Malakai shouted from a distance. The idiot was sauntering away.

“Care to share with the rest of us?” Travis barked. Seagulls yeowed, the sound like laughter. Everything seemed to be mocking him, even the damn birds.

Malakai turned, gesturing to the sprawling luxury hotel several miles down the coast. “Waterfront hotel, anyone?” He turned with a sloppy wave and kept walking. “Catch you dipshits later.”

Soon, everyone was following him, none of them in the mood to argue. And although Travis hated to admit when Malakai was right, that hotel, with its hundreds of windows glowing with buttery light, was probably their best bet. Food, a hot shower, and a warm bed—that was all Travis wanted right now.

So he kept his mouth shut and walked.

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