Page 17 of The Last Hope

With a staunched nose, Mykal tells Bludrader, “Court is mine.”

“Mykal,” Court hisses, his face burning.

“I said nothing wrong.” Mykal rubs blood from his nose. “We’re a couple, you and I.”

Court looks like he could cry. “Please,stop.” He’s scared for his safety.

Mykal is hurt, his shoulders dropping. He doesn’t understand that Court is trying to protect him.

Gods, this is a big bad mess.

Bludrader watches on with too much intrigue.

“You shouldn’t stare at them so hard,” I tell Bludrader, attempting to steal his attention. When it works, I add, “It’s not kind.”

He tips his head at me again. “Kindness is considered an uncommon trait for Saltarians.”

My eyes glide across the sharp carve of his jaw and the glimmering sadness in his gaze. “So you are Saltarian.”

He pauses, scrutinizing me in search of something. “You’re not scared of Saltarians.” He lets out a soft laugh. “No, I guess you wouldn’t be.”

I’m about to question him for what feels like the hundredth time, but he speaks again.

“A human who isn’t afraid of Saltarians is rare.”

“So you are—”

“I am Saltarian,” he affirms. And he sheathes the blade in itsleather casing on his back. He pulls his weight off me and rotates to Court. “I threatened to cut her neck, not slit her throat. I would’ve only nicked her if it came to that. As for Mykal—”

“You know our names?” Court questions.

“You told theRomuluscommander your names. Nearly everyone aboard this ship knows.”

I sigh into a scowl.

We’ve done a poor job at secrecy, but that part isn’t so much our fault. At least we’ve been able to hide our link from everyone. Even our friends from theSagastarcraft have no idea. Though I’m not so sure we’ll ever see them again.

I try not to think about that.

“As for me?” Mykal cuts in, pinching his nose to staunch the blood flow.

“As for you,” Bludrader continues, “I wasdefendingmyself. From being knocked unconscious. I need to stay awake as much as you three need to stay alive.”

I take a stronger breath.

Trusting him more.

Court sends me a strict look like,be cautious, Franny. It’s too soon.

I think it’s almost too late. “We need to leave,” I tell Court, the band of his slacks cutting painfully into his wound. He’s been ignoring the anguish. “What if more cadets arrive and lock us back up?”

And he’s dying.

He can barely stand upright. Mykal has his arm around Court’s waist, supporting most of his body.

Bludrader starts to notice his weak shape. “There’s a med kit on my ship.”

Mykal perks up. “Court.”