Page 204 of Seven Oars
More sounds came in: the whoosh of the capsule’s mechanisms, the voices below. People were preparing to receive them.
Rosamma pressed herself tighter to Fincros.“We’re finally home.”
His arms came around her, firm and secure.
“You’re my home.”
The capsule hovered at its lowest point, three stories above the ground.
“I see him! Your brother’s here, Rosamma!” Gro stuck her head out and waved like crazy.“Hello! Hello!”
There were answering cries. She heard Paloma’s voice hollering her name.
“I wish you could see them. Oh, Finn, they’re here!”
“It’s all good, stardust. Almost there.” They held hands.
A safety net was stretched tight like a trampoline beneath the capsule’s hatch.
Gro’s smile vanished as she peered down with apprehension.“Shit, I hate heights.”
Eze gave her a pitying look.“After all we’ve been through, now she’s acting all retarded? Do you need a push?”
“No! Don’t you dare. But… you can go first.”
A warning note entered Eze’s tone.“We set an order. You go first, then Rosamma, then Fincros, and me. Don’t start.”
“We can change the order. Why does it matter?”
Fincros scowled.
“Okay, okay.” Gro took a shaky breath, closed her eyes, and plunged out with a haunting cry that cut off the moment she hit the net.
“Rosamma! Jump! Piece of cake!” Gro’s voice floated up, now full of confidence.
“Come on, Rose! We’ve got you!”
Ren.Ren!
Rosamma’s legs trembled as she stepped to the door. Her vision was blurry, but Ren’s tall form was unmistakable in the crowd below. She’d agonized about seeing him again, and here he was.
Thank you, Universe.
Fincros’arm around her waist steadied Rosamma. Eze moved deeper into the capsule to give them room.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
Suddenly, his arm tightened, became a vise.“You will find me when it’s safe. Stay true, stardust. No fear.”
Alarm washed through her like acid.“No. Finn, no…”
He pushed her out.
She flailed, clutching at air, refusing to believe, refusing to let go—and fell with an agonizing scream.
The net bounced her. She thrashed, trying to rise. Someone got in the net with her, his presence solid and as familiar as her own, but not welcome.
