Why couldn’t she stop crying? Cass rubbed her eyes with the sleeve of her tunic, but tears continued to flow. Grief hung over the Daedalus like a funeral shroud. No one spoke, no one looked each other in the eye. Each crewmember was caught up in his own thoughts and sorrow.

Cass hid in the corner near the engine, feigning work. The shadows felt like a warm blanket, allowing her to grieve in silence.

After half an hour, Will walked in. As the one in charge of the engine and machinery used to bring up items from the Mist, she should have known he would have eventually appeared. At least she’d had a little bit of time to herself.

“Cass?” he said quietly.

She wiped her face again to make sure there was no trace of tears and stood. The engine hummed gently next to her, and the air was warm with a hint of oil.

He studied her for a moment, then reached for the belt around his waist and pulled out a wrench. “Here,” he said abruptly. “Why don’t you check on the bolts for me?”

The bolts? She almost laughed at the thought. Why would the bolts need checking? She took the wrench, and Will spoke. “There will be a memorial for Oliver and Captain Gresley tonight. Not sure if you heard about it. Until then, I’ll let the others know you’re working in here.”

He headed for the door when Cass called out. “Will, wait!” She looked down at the wrench and back up at him. “Thank you.”

He cleared his throat. “You know, Captain Gresley would have done that for anyone.”

“Done what?”

“Given his life. He was always giving himself to others. That’s just who he was. Anyway”—Will turned—“I’ll see you tonight.”

Cass stared at the doorway after he left. That’s just who he was. She lowered her head, grief swelling up again. She wished she could have gotten to know the captain more. He was unlike any other person she’d ever met. And now he was gone.

Eventually, even though she knew they didn’t need it, she checked the bolts, then drew out a cleaning cloth and made sure the machinery was clean, and then tidied up the area. By the time evening came, she felt like she had a semblance of control back. At least her tears had stopped.

The bell rang out. Cass tucked the tools away, hung the cleaning cloth from her belt, and emerged from the engine room. The rest of the crew gathered on the main deck. The sun was setting, lighting the sky above with deep colors and a cool wind blew over the ship.

Patterson walked up the steps to the top deck, then came to a stop at the rail. His silver hair was tied back at the nape of his neck, and his spectacles glinted in the dying light. Bert joined him a minute later. With Captain Gresley gone, Bert had become the temporary captain until they could reach Decadenn and relay the news of his brother’s death to Eli Gresley. Jeremiah went around and began to light the lanterns as the sky grew darker.

“Comrades,” Patterson began after a moment of silence. Jeremiah lit the last lantern and came to stand beside Cass. “This isn’t the first time we’ve come to the deck to say goodbye to those we’ve lost, and it won’t be the last. But this time, we’ve lost more than a crewmember. Our captain gave his life so that our comrades could make it back home to the Daedalus.”

Home. The word reverberated inside Cass’s mind as Patterson continued to speak not only about Captain Gresley but of Oliver as well. Her mind replayed those last few minutes, how the captain took down the Turned so that she could escape. So she could make it home. Yes. The Daedalus was her home. But Captain Gresley did not come back with her . . .

Cass rubbed her face with the edge of her tunic and looked away at the last few rays of sun spreading across the sky. It was a bittersweet thought. Her parents gave their lives so she could survive, and Captain Gresley gave his life so she could go home. Her new home.

But what would happen now? What would happen when they arrived in Decadenn and spoke to Captain Gresley’s brother?

Cass tuned back in as Patterson raised his hands and looked up into the burgeoning night sky.

“Elaeros, we pray that the memory of our fallen comrades will never leave our hearts, and that the sacrifice they offered never be forgotten. Into your hands we commend their souls, and we commit their bodies to your will, may they not linger here in this world.” His words hung in the air as silence descended upon the ship.

“Amen,” Bert finally said quietly next to Patterson.

“Amen,” the rest of the crew murmured.

Cass paused. “Amen,” she whispered, still mulling over Patterson’s words. She knew when a person became a Turned, it was only the body left behind. So where did the soul go? Were they with Elaeros now? In the sky, in His dwelling place? Were her parents as well? She looked up. Stars dotted the blackening expanse.

There is more to Elaeros than we can possibly understand.

Captain Gresley’s words to her months ago when he caught her staring out across the Mist.

We live in a broken world, but we are not overcome by it.

That she understood. She placed a hand over her heart. And like Patterson said, she would not forget her comrades. She would not forget Captain Gresley and the price he paid so she could live.

They arrived in Decadenn two weeks later. The crew somberly exited the Daedalus to restock their supplies and to take some time off. Two had departed with packs in hand, ready to find other job opportunities. There were whispers amongst a handful of others who were thinking about doing the same thing.

Bert led them down the plank and onto the walkway. Even with the solemn cause for their visit, Cass couldn’t help but be impressed by Decadenn as they entered the city. There was modern feel to the metropolis, with its polished metal buildings, smooth steam pipes, concrete streets, and gas lamps on every block. It smelled different, too: spices drifting out of open doors and windows as food was prepared, elegant perfume and fragrances, a metallic smell rising from the well-oiled gears that kept Decadenn running.

They caught a steam-powered shuttle that resembled a short train and ran along rails built over the streets. Cass pressed her face to the glass and watched as towering buildings rushed by. Half of her was thrilled by the overwhelming beauty of the city while her other half wished to go back to the Daedalus, to the familiar and comfortable.

A zipper flew up and over the shuttle into the fog-filled sky. She wondered what it would be like to fly in such a vehicle and be able to go wherever she wanted.

Twenty minutes later, the shuttle stopped somewhere deep inside the city. Cass followed Bert and Lucas onto the ramp and down the stairs. Smog hung in the air, and the buildings were smudged with soot and filth. She wrinkled her nose and took care not to touch anything. Why was the captain’s brother in this part of town?

Her answer came a minute later when Bert turned toward a small wooden door built into a dull brick building with three golden balls suspended above the post. The sign of a pawnbroker. So the captain’s brother was a pawnbroker in Decadenn. It made sense. The occupation would provide him with large network of people, not only those needing a couple of sterlings to make it to the end of the week, but also the wealthy looking for valuables at a discounted rate. Or even the service of a diving ship.

A bell rang within the shop when Bert opened the door. The three of them went in. The interior was made from the same brick pattern as the outside, with copper pipes running along the low ceiling. A wooden counter ran along the right wall, while the left side of the room was filled with furniture, paintings, clothing, and even a gilded cage with a white bird inside. It bobbed its head, then hopped from one side to the other as if to get a closer look at the newcomers.

Moments later, a man emerged from the door in the back. He was taller and thinner than Captain Gresley, but his face was almost identical. A pair of spectacles hung on the tip of his nose, and his dark eyes came to rest on them.

“Can I help you?” He tucked a cloth away into the pocket of his pinstriped vest.

“Mr. Gresley? It’s me, Bert, first mate and diver for the Daedalus.”

“Ah, yes, I recognize you now.” He glanced past the three to the door. “Where is my brother?”

Bert’s face tightened. “That’s why we are here.”

“Oh.” The man stilled. “I see.” He stood motionless for some time before he spoke. “Let’s go to the back room, and you can tell me what occurred.”

He headed back through the door he had exited moments ago. The three of them followed. Lucas looked as sick as Cass felt. The back room was smaller than the front, and even more cramped, with everything from a mounted deer’s head to what looked like an automaton made of various metals and parts. There was a small couch near the back next to a desk with a single candle lit on top and a pile of papers.

Eli Gresley took a seat behind the desk. Bert sat down on the couch with Cass in the middle and Lucas on her other side.

Bert carefully described the mission, then the deaths of Oliver and the captain.

Eli shook his head. “I had a feeling the Mist would finally catch up to my brother. So where is the box now?” he asked curiously.

Bert seemed a little taken aback. “It’s on the ship. Our plan was to deliver it to the Staggs family for the compensation promised us.”

“I’ll be visiting the Staggses next week. Why don’t I take the box?”

Bert shifted. “Perhaps we should talk about the future of the Daedalus and her crew first.”

“Oh, yes, of course.” Eli ran a hand over his head. “Well, the way it stands, I’m not sure if I can keep the Daedalus.”

Cass’s eyes went wide, and her heart started thumping wildly. Not keep the Daedalus? There was a quick intake of breath beside her from Lucas.

“What do you mean?” Bert asked, his voice icy.

“My family owes the Staggs family a lot of money. And the Daedalus is almost worth the amount due. My brother had hoped that a couple lucrative jobs would cover the debt, but now that he is gone . . .” Eli let the words trail off.

“You do realize that if you get rid of the Daedalus, not only will you be putting a lot of good men”—Bert motioned to Cass—“and a woman out of a job, the world will be losing the best diving ship out there.”

“Yes, yes, there’s that to consider. But to be honest, I know very little about commanding a ship. And the last time Victor and I talked, it seemed the need for divers was diminishing.”

“As long as there is the Mist, there will always be a need for divers,” Bert responded. “However, to ease your mind, I have an idea: what if we also used the Daedalus as a cargo ship? I would be happy to stay on as captain.”

“As captain?” Eli lifted one eyebrow. “What will you be wanting in return?”

Bert’s eyes hardened. “I’m not looking to fill Captain Gresley’s boots, and I’m not demanding that I be compensated as much as he was. I only want to see the Daedalus continue to fly.”

“Hmmm.” Eli stroked his chin. “Cargo ships bring in half what a dive makes. I’m not sure if I want to fund such a venture. On the other hand . . .” He seemed lost in thought. “Tell you what. I’ll give you a year to show me the Daedalus is worth it.”

“And how much would that be?”

“Enough to pay the Staggs family. In fact, I’ll give you the Daedalus if you end up getting me the amount she’s worth.”

All three took a quick intake of breath. “That much?” Cass’s words were barely audible. Bert’s lips tightened, and Lucas shifted uncomfortably beside her.

“What about the job we did for the Staggs family? Will it count toward that?”

“No.”

What?

“Your debt starts now.”

Bert worked his jaw. “Then I have two conditions of my own. First, we are paid what we would have received for the Staggs job.” Eli started to open his mouth but Bert stopped him. “It is only fair. And we lost a lot with this job. Namely, one of our crew and your brother.” He emphasized the last word. It did seem Eli had forgotten about his brother’s death.

“Fine. And what is your other condition?”

Bert turned toward Cass and Lucas. “I still need a diving crew. I know that a handful of our comrades are thinking about moving on. You two are my last two divers. I need to know at least one of you will stay on.”

“I will,” Cass responded instantly. As long as there was the Daedalus, she would be on that ship. She would do all she could to keep her home.

Lucas rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll have to think about it.”

Bert nodded. “Good enough.” He stood. “One year.” He extended his hand. “Like Captain Gresley, my hand is my word. What about you, Mr. Gresley?”

Eli scowled but took the proffered hand. “I always stand on my word.”

“Good.” Bert replied. “We will deliver the package to the Staggs family, then start our next job, whether it’s cargo or dives. I’ll be sure to bring your payment, then when we have raised the rest, we will come for the Daedalus.”

Eli grinned. “We shall see. I have nothing to lose.”

Cass bit her lip. Eli was nothing like his brother, and a hearty dislike of him was slowly growing inside her.

Bert ignored the jab. “Cass, Lucas, time to head back to the ship. We have a lot of work to do.”

“Aye, Captain,” they responded. It felt odd to call Bert captain, and she wasn’t sure if there was still some tension between them. But compared to losing the Daedalus, she would follow Bert, tension or no tension.

As Bert led the way out of the pawnshop and to the steamshuttle, fear crept across Cass’s heart like thin shadowy fingers. She knew enough to know it would take nothing short of a miracle to raise the kind of money Eli wanted.

They just had to keep the ship.