Page 79 of The Last Hope

“It’s so dreary to think we’ll never see Nash Redcastle and Eloise Ulycastle end up together,” Gem says. “Last I heard, they were rumored to be engaged. Now we’ll never know if it was true.”

Kinden adjusts his expensive watch. “I already know. The rumor was false. Nash was dating Brauna, the goalie for Bartholo.”

I can’t believe we’re still discussingiceling.

“I met him once.” Zimmer turns every head.

“Holy Wonders.” Gem gasps. “You metNash Redcastle.Did you sneak inside a match?”

“I shined his shoes,” he says. “Back at the Catherina Hotel. Buffed them real good and the toad hole paid me a single fykking bill.”

Stork clutches his scotch bottle loosely, absorbed at every word and movement. He watches Zimmer casually shifting and linking arms with Franny.

“I’ve heard Nash was cheap,” Kinden remarks, picking up theMythsbook off the floor.Finally.He waits to open the cover.Kinden.“But he’s still one of the greats, and he’s not bad on the eyes.”

“No easier way to lose a stiffy than being stiffed,” Zimmer quips.

Nash Redcastle was arguably one of the most famous people on Saltare-3. He was a Fast-Tracker who lived like an Influential, and he’ll die in four years’ time.

All ofthatis meaningless now.

I wonder why Stork doesn’t feel the same. How can I trust him to lead everyone safely into and out of Saltare-1? If anyone dies or loses a limb, I’m to blame. Our friends are joining us because I asked. Because for some gods-forsaken reason, they trust me enough to follow my lead.

I settle my hardened eyes on Stork. “What are we doing here anyway?”

“Building morale.” He raises his bottle to his lips, unbothered. He nods his chin to Gem. “What are the rules to iceling?”

Gem cheerfully explains the sport, and I contemplate the optimism and unity in the air that I ignored.

I try to ease.

But when she’s finished, I ask my brother, “Have you read the myth yet?”

Stork looks me over with confusion. “Wow, have you ever chilled for more than two seconds?”

I blink. “I don’t know what that means.”

His lip quirks. “Have you ever relaxed, mate?”

I ache to shrug, but my shoulders refuse to budge. Mykal pushes my cheek, and I almost,almostsmile.

Gem mouths the word,Wow.An exclamation I only hear humans use.

“Pardon my little brother”—Kinden sets down his wine bottle and flips open the book—“he was never allowed to have fun.” He skims the correct page and reads several lines aloud. “One day, a baby fell from the sky. She was unlike any other. Born of mystical beauty and power, she alone could bring peace to an ancient land.” Kinden tries not to laugh.

“I know,” I say first, but the myth unnerves me. I memorized the two-page story and I can’t place my finger onwhythis absurd tale troubles my mind. “The line about the baby appearing in Montbay on Victory’s Sacred Eve is strangely specific, Kinden.”

The Saltarian weeklong holiday is two months from today and widely celebrated on Saltare-3. Marching bands and famous athletes parade down popular city streets, and civilians cheer and collect tossed candy.

Padgett takes a quick glance at the page. “What’s Montbay?”

“The largest city in Saltare-1,” Stork says as he stands, water dripping down his legs.

My brother gives me an uncertain look. “Likely there is no baby, and this myth is just a myth.”

I nod, but there is no other path left to take. My gaze drifts to the Soarcastle sisters, Zimmer, and Kinden—all four equally accepting of this venture, even knowing our terrible odds.

“Why help if you believe this is a fool’s chase?” I ask.