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“I didn’t say that. You’re reading too much into—”

But I can tell it’s too late. Kearan has deduced far too much about me. When I was trying to focus on him, no less.

“You think your life isn’t worth living, so you live for others?” he asks. “Is that what drives you? All this time I’ve been trying to figure you out, and—”

“Kearan, we were talking about you. Don’t change the subject.”

“Is that why you serve Alosa? Because you’d rather let someone else make choices for you? You think you’re not capable of directing your own life?”

I round on him. “This from the man who let drink control him for three years?”

“And you turned to killing. What was so bad that you became an assassin? What did Alosa save you from?”

Everything is cold and dark. I hear splashing and gasping, a shriek that cuts off into gurgling. The screaming of my sisters.

A body floating in bathwater. My mother’s sightless eyes staring at the ceiling.

I blink the thoughts away, refocusing on the man sitting in my room. How did we even get here?

“Alosa saved me from nothing. I saved myself. And then I got my revenge for what I couldn’t save. Alosa just gave me a purpose again.”

“Again? What was your purpose before?”

“It’s none—”

“Of my business. I get it. I’ll just pour out my deepest hurts and insecurities to you, but you stay bottled up. I hear that’s super healthy.”

He stomps out the door without looking back.

WEHONORTHEFALLENby lighting lanterns the next night. Though we’ve been doing this for days to prevent the beastie from sneaking off with anyone, this time it’s different. The lanterns are for the dead, not the living. Souls lost at sea are able to follow the lantern light to the water’s surface. From there they can see the stars and be guided home. Each star is someone who has passed on, living a bright new life in the heavens.

When I was little, I would search the sky for hours, trying to guess which bright dots of light belonged to my family. So many nights I longed to join them, and many times I thought of speeding the process along.

Then I met Alosa. She reminded me that the stars have a plan for each of us. I shouldn’t cut my time short. My family will still be waiting for me no matter how much time I spend on the seas. There is still much good I can do before I reunite with them.

Now there are four new stars up in the sky. I can’t distinguish them, for the stars in the heavens are as numerous as the sands on the beach.

But I can’t help but wonder if there’s anything I could have done to prevent them from joining the night sky so soon.

ITTAKESA FEWdays to put the ship to rights, but we thankfully had everything we needed on board to fix things. Radita is truly the best at what she does. She has the ship perfectly functional once more.Vengeancecertainly shows signs of wear, but if anything, it makes her look more hardened. Like she’s seen tough waters and survived. I like her better for it.

We set sail again, our ship following theWanderer’s path, though we’ve long since passed the point where Alosa last heard from them. Since the water beastie didn’t attack the ship until we attacked it, I have every reason to believe they kept on sailing.Wandererhad a far larger crew. I don’t think a few missing sailors would have deterred the land king’s men.

When Alosa’s response to my report arrives, I feel relieved as I open the scroll. I want her advice. I don’t want to be in control for a moment. I just need to know what she would have me do next.

Itwasbiggerthan the ship, you say? And you still managed to take it out? I’ve said it before, and I’ll sayitagain.There’snoonebetteratkillingthanyou.Iknowyou’redownplayingyourroleindefeatingthecreature. Good work, and I’m proud. I am also saddenedbythelosses.Wewillhonorthemtonightafterdinner.Iknow you’ll have already done so on the ship.

And don’t worry.Iwon’t say a word to Wallov about what happened during the attack. He need never know Roslyn almost went over. We had enough of a scare during that nasty storm. You remember? The one where Riden got himself tossed overboard. He can be such an idiot at times.

Thenextcallisyourstomake.Irespectyourchoice as captain and trust you to make the right decision for your crew. You know the situation better thanI,so proceed as you seefit.Stay the course and find those missing girls or turn around and come back.

Just know thatIhave every confidence in you. Thelandking’sshipwascaptainedbyoneofthelandking’s men. He doesn’t have you or this crew I’ve handpicked. You can all do incredible things. Better yet, no one was ordered to go on this voyage. You’re all there by choice.Ifanyone can pull this off, it’s you and this crew.

But again, the choice is yours. Remember, as captain, you can change your mind at any time. You can stay course, and then if things get worse, turnaround.

Itrustyou.

—Alosa