Page 12 of The Last Hope

One looks more like me than like Court or Mykal. Same black hair, shape of our eyes, and beige skin, but I’d never go as far as to say we’re related. The burgundy Saltare-1 cloak that I’ve come to hate hangs off his wiry shoulders, and a triangular StarDust brooch is pinned at the hollow of his long neck. He’s aRomuluscadet.

He nudges the limp body with his boot.

I study the second young man, who cares nothing for the unconscious cadet. Longish snowy-blond hair is tucked behind his ears, a vibrant jeweled earring dangling on his right lobe. An odd piece of bronze armor covers his chest—armor that I’ve only ever heard of in tales—and a leather skirt ends just above his knees.

The symbol on his breast is nothing I’ve seen before.

“What’s on that strange one’s feet?” Mykal whispers. “I can see his damnedtoes.”

None of us know the name of his footwear.

“It’s not important,” Court says, but his curiosity joins ourslike we’re feverishly catching stars in a bottle. Before each one vanishes and we’re left in the dark once again.

I direct the rod at his face. With theRomuluscadet, I at least know his malicious intentions. This one is an unnerving mystery.

His frosty blue eyes drift across the brig and our bodies. My breathing deepens when his gaze lands on me, and his jaw locks.

With haste, he turns to theRomuluscadet. “You stripped her?”

“I stripped myself!” I shout and steal their gazes in a single heartbeat.

TheRomuluscadet ogles me crudely from toe to head, but that says more about him, less about me.

I don’t falter.

The strange one blinks away the heat in his eyes. Holding my gaze, he cocks his head like I’m a sad little chump.

“I have a tongue,” I retort. “If you wish to ask questions about me, speak to me.”

“Oh trust me, dove, I’ll speak to you in no time, but see, there’s a wall separating you and me and you’re more than indisposed at the moment.”

I scowl, my guards still high. I can’t tell if he truly cares whether I’m sick or well. Whether I’m satiated or starved. Why would he care at all? No one does.

Barely anyone ever has. He’s not linked to us. He has no reason to help us.

These facts arch my shoulders.

Court raises his voice. “What do you two want?”

“Don’t speak,human,” theRomuluscadet chides, and he taps on a handheld device.

Mykal points a threatening finger. “You’ll both be letting us out of here. Or we’ll be putting you on the ground like your friend.”

“By all means,” the blond-haired one says and jerks his head toward theRomuluscadet. “Have at him. Aim for the kidney.”

The cadet whips around and glares at the blond. “Bludrader.” He spits a wad on the blond’s exposed toes.What a strange name…

Bludrader hardly blinks at the spit or the caustic look being slung his way. “Open the door.”

The cadet grumbles and spits again, but for some reason, he obeys. Punching another button on his device, the door lets out a heavy groan and aclick.

Unlocking.

And in one swift movement, Bludrader pinches the back of the cadet’s neck and slams his forehead into the wall.Oh gods…

TheRomuluscadet falls backward like a stiff board.

Bludrader yanks open the translucent door and marches into our brig. We could run, but Court is too weak and this person could restrain us too easily.