"We will go directly South. To the river." Jaron's deep voice projects off the walls of the tube station.

"The tunnels don't run south from here." A Miner woman calls out.

"We walk aboveground." The chief gestures to Rowan, who drops the heavy satchel she has been lugging around. Kneeling down to unload its contents, she pulls out several tightly-rolled spools of Waster fabric, enough to cover the backs of each Miner.

"You are all Wasters now." Jaron continues as the half-dozen remaining Miners step forward to receive their disguise. "When you dress like a Waster, you travel like a Waster. Fight like a Waster. Think like a Waster."

I sit off to the side, honing my dagger and listening to Jaron with one ear. He explains our route and stealth tactics as he strolls through the depressingly-diminished crowd. The Wasters help the Miners into their outfits, their actions rushed compared to Ayana and Sera's careful dressing of me only a few days previous. I am grateful for the overall sense of urgency. Rationally, I know that I need to remain with Jaron and the soldiers but it is taking a great deal of self control to keep from sprinting to the surface and straight towards Will.

"Sharpen that any further and there will be nothing left." Luca appears next to me, leaning back against the wall as he peers downwards.

I turn the dagger over in my hands, testing the blade, watching with a kind of detached fascination as a small trickle of blood works its way down my finger. I release a breath through my teeth, my focus moving from the crimson smear to Luca's concerned eyes beyond.

Last night I came to a decision. Despite Jaron's best intentions I know that without Will, this scouting mission teeters on the fine edge of failure. Our commander's calm, measured strategy was our greatest weapon against an invisible enemy and now we run the risk of attacking impulsively, guided by our emotions.

I won't allow that to happen. I can't allow that to happen. Will's life is at stake. The responsibility of bringing him home safely falls to me. I can no longer afford to be bullheaded, I can no longer risk acting alone.

Lowering my bloody hand I tear my eyes away from Luca and back to the few remaining soldiers. The Wasters mill about, helping the Miner men and women dress in the sand-coloured fabric while Jaron walks back and forth among the group, vocally outlining our route in exhausting detail.

I sheathe my dagger, wiping my cut finger on my thigh and making to stand, accepting Luca's hand as he pulls me to my feet.

The Waster brothers are my greatest asset now. They are the only ones who can help me get Will back. We have to trust one another, play off our unique strengths and make up for each other's weaknesses. I now understand just how desperate they are to get Noah back. The ache I feel at missing Will consumes me, a death grip on my heart that refuses to let go. It is a feeling I share with both Jaron and Luca, as well as every person in our party who has ever lost someone they care about to the war or the airships.

There is no greater anguish than unknowing.

There is no greater motivation than vengeance.

Swaddled in our Waster disguises we file one after the other back up the stairs, emerging into the beginnings of dusk. I walk at the head of the group with Jaron and Luca, followed closely by Rowan and the dozen remaining soldiers.

The Miners' footsteps shuffle heavily through the sandy expanse at we head south, gradually softening as they become accustomed to the new environment and imitate the silent movements of the Wasters.

The sky darkens, disguising us further. We stick to the dunes, weaving in and out of the crooked path bordered by sandy mountains. I force myself to walk in sync with the others, drawing steady breaths while continually reminding myself to be patient, that Will's safety depends on me using my brain and not my heart.

We walk through the night, using the moonlight and the position of the stars to chart our course South. While peering upwards I find myself instinctively looking towards the familiar constellation forged after the Burn.

"What do you see?" It takes me a moment to acknowledge Luca's question, barely recognizing his low voice in my ear.

I direct his gaze, tracing the line of stars with my finger. "There. The Fireline. My father taught me that it was made by the charred remains of our old civilization."

His sharp eyes dart across the twinkling expanse of sky. "The Fireline. I have heard of the stars' origin but never knew their name. It has been lost to the Wasters for many years."

"Then consider it found." I reply dully.

He doesn't respond immediately. In the ensuing silence my mind drifts to a dark place, considering a million gruesome scenarios of what could be happening to Will and the rest of our missing people. I am grinding my teeth subconsciously when Luca speaks again, disrupting my thoughts.

"It is my fault that Will was taken, not yours."

I turn abruptly to look at him. "Don't say that."

"It is true." He runs a hand over the back of his tattooed neck. A few paces away I can see Jaron watching us carefully, his jaw clenched. "I was the one who could not wait to inspect the steel tower. You wished to leave a message first."

Something seizes in my chest. I shut my eyes briefly, willing away the feeling, re-affirming my decision to ignore any traitorous emotions. "It doesn't matter, Luca. Placing blame is not going to help our friends. Yesterday we made the wrong decision. From now on we will make the right ones."

I look past Luca, straight at Jaron. "Our intent was to help. That should count for something."

The Waster chief glances once at his younger brother and then away, his expression unreadable in the near-darkness.

We walk in silence through the night, setting up camp amongst the dunes just as the sun begins to crest the horizon. I volunteer to take first watch, citing my prolonged nerve-gas nap as sufficient rest. As my companions settle down to sleep I lean back against a soft mound of sand, peering upwards, my eyes tracing the gradient in the sky as I search for a passing airship. The next time I catch a glimpse of a great, silver balloon I will be ready. We will spot that accursed ship before it spots us and follow it stealthily straight towards Will.

Out here in the desert, so far from the relative safety of the tube and pinned down by an invisible, airborne enemy we would be sitting ducks if not for the skills of the Wasters. The Miner soldiers have proven themselves to be quick studies when it comes to travelling stealthily aboveground and now it is my turn to prove myself capable of patience and careful planning.

The Wasteland does not permit second chances.

It isn't until Jaron comes to sit next to me that I realize I have lost track of the hours. He folds his large frame into a comfortable position at the base of the dune, leaning over his knees as he follows my gaze to the sky.

"No sight of them yet." I murmur, my voice sounding foreign to my ears after so much time spent sitting in silence.

"We are on the right track. I am sure of it." For once, Jaron's certainty is comforting rather than condescending.

"I trust you." I mean the words.

"And I, you." His voice is gruff. "I trust my brother, also. Despite what you might think."

"I know that you care a great deal about him." I shield my eyes as I continue to search. "You have lost one brother already, Luca's safety is important to you."

When he doesn't respond I tear my gaze away from the horizon to look at him, immediately startled by how much the chief's bright eyes resemble Luca's. He is watching me intently, his brow furrowed. "You see a great deal, Kay. I can understand why Megra has such affection for you. "

If I weren't so numb I might smile at his mention of Meg. "Meg has a certain measure of affection for everyone. It's what makes her a great Queen." I lean back on my elbows and look upwards again, keeping an easy tone. "That said, she does not give her own heart away easily. If you are one of the lucky few she deems worthy of her love, you had best respect what that means. It is no small thing to be loved by someone like Meg."

"It has only been a short time, but in knowing your queen I have learned a great deal about compassion and kindness." Jaron's trademark bluntness warms something inside of me, softening the murderous resolve I have felt since Will's disappearance. "I think she is remarkable."

"She is." At this I incline my head and look at him meaningfully. "And if you hurt or betray her in any way, I will personally see to it that every ounce of her pain is inflicted tenfold back on you."

He raises his dark eyebrows, smirking not unkindly. "If that is your version of a blessing, I will take it."

"Life is too short to deny yourself love." Exhaustion has made my tongue loose. "I realize that now."

Jaron nods slowly. "Sometimes we are taught our lessons in a harsh way."

The familiar throb begins between my eyes and I rub my brow in an effort to alleviate it. "That's the thing, though." I protest. "This did not have to be such a hard lesson, I was just too stubborn and bullheaded to understand how Will felt until the same thing happened to me."

His large hand is heavy on my shoulder. "Today I heard you say that placing blame does not help anyone."

"I know that." I sigh, annoyed that I have allowed my frustration to get the better of me.

"We move forward. Every day we draw closer to their camp and closer to our revenge. It won't be long now."

"How do you know?"

He gestures to a gap between the dunes in front of us, indicating the small shaft of sunlight peeking through. I squint, my vision blurring and then clearing after so many hours spent scanning the sky.

Then, I see it. On the horizon, a steel structure identical to the one Luca and I found before we were attacked.

"I've been out here all day, how did I not notice that before?" I rub my eyes forcefully, my anger with myself building anew.

To my surprise, the gruff Waster chief chuckles low in his throat. "You spend so much time looking ahead that you miss what is right in front of you."

"Truer words were never spoken." I shake my head, my exasperation dissipating somewhat as I consider the tower in the distance. "What do you think they are?"

"I do not know." He shrugs his broad shoulders. "Some of your Miners believe that the strangers use the towers to communicate with one another."

"How?"

He furrows his brow, thinking. "A type of old-world technology. Sound moves through the air like waves, passed between towers."

I bite down on my lip. If the strangers really can speak to one another using these towers, then there is no telling how technically advanced they are compared to us. We could be walking straight into a war between eras.

We lapse into silence, passing the burden of loss and responsibility between one another. After a time Jaron lets out a soft sigh, running a hand through the knotted ropes on his head.

"What is it?" I have returned to looking at the sky.

"I do not have all of the answers." I didn't expect such an admission from the brawny chief but at this point I am incapable of feeling shock. "I am grateful for your help."

This time I do manage to release a half-grin from the corner of my mouth. "Who would have thought that the Wasters and Miners could come together this way? I have to admit, when your people confiscated my dagger and locked me in that underground closet I had my doubts."

"We have Luca to thank for our friendship." Jaron muses. "A Miner has never been permitted inside a Waster camp until he brought you to Pic dil Cir. "

"You must have been angry with him at the time."

"Since Noah was taken I often find myself angry with Luca." He smiles guiltily. "I will tell you something but deny it if it is ever repeated."

"Go ahead."

"I am pleased that my brother has the courage to go his own way, despite what I tell him."

My eyebrows rise in question. "Then why are you so hard on him?"

"I cannot help myself. I want to protect him, we are all one another has."

I shrug half heartedly. "I suppose I can't fault you for that. If I still had a brother I would be doing everything in my power to keep him safe."

"Cade told me what happened to your family. I am sorry."

I wave a hand dismissively. "Thank you, but it was a long time ago."

"An old hurt." He responds knowingly. "Does not mean that it stings any less."

"You are beginning to sound like Cade." I deflect.

He releases a small chuckle, the sound grating in his throat. "Cade had his work cut out for him when he took in myself and my brothers. He will be pleased that some of his influence managed to rub off."

"I do not envy him the task." I tease. "I have only spent a few weeks with you and Luca and in that time I've been gassed, stabbed, beaten and nearly killed."

He laughs again. "All in the pursuit of our eventual friendship."

"Worth it." I nudge him with my elbow.

He glances upwards, squinting at the sun as it nears its highest point. "You should rest now. I will take the next watch."

"It's fine. I'm not tired."

He looks down at me sternly. "You must. This group cannot afford any vulnerability."

I roll my eyes. "I can't imagine why Luca would think you are too strict."

"It is the curse of being an elder brother. I will never stop looking out for my family."

Something warms inside me at his use of the word 'family'. I feel a slight blush creep to my cheeks and hide it by rubbing my face.

"Tonight we should head for that tower." I say, gesturing at the distant structure in an effort to redirect the conversation. "I have a feeling that if we continue to seek them out that we will eventually find their origin."

"I agree." Jaron concentrates on the tower at the horizon. "Enough distractions now, Kay. Go to sleep."

I sigh, grabbing my bedroll and climbing reluctantly to my feet. "Wake me as soon as night falls."

"You have my word."

I trudge a few feet away, situating myself on the fringes of the group and unfurling my roll. Sleep doesn't come immediately and I turn onto my side, watching Jaron's broad silhouette. He sits calmly, his head moving ever-so-imperceptibly as he continually scans the sky.

Alone again with my thoughts my minds-eye turns to Will and I have to fight another bout of fear, breathing deeply until the panic passes.

I understand now what he wanted from me. This worry, this endless unknowing is a torture greater than anything I experienced in Harmen's dungeon. If I could go back in time I would do everything differently. I would accept Will's fears and do what I could to alleviate them. I would keep my promises to stay safe and never again slight his protectiveness. I would deny my own instincts of rushing headfirst into danger if it meant keeping him from feeling this pain I am now experiencing.

When I dream it is no longer myself I see chained and writhing under Harmen's whip, but rather Will's own torn and bloodied back. I sleep fitfully, praying to the gods for nightfall each time I wake.

After an exhausting eternity I am finally shaken to consciousness by Luca. The night is cold and I suppress a shiver as I gather my things, glancing about as our shuffling camp stirs to life. We eat while we walk, passing back and forth the salted remains of the meat Luca and I preserved.

Eventually we reach the communication tower, keeping a careful distance and talking quietly amongst ourselves, guessing its purpose. The moonlight cutting through the structure causes a dramatic silhouette and the shadow criss-crossing beams falls across our small party. The overall effect is eerily beautiful; an ornate latticework path that directs us further South.

The next tower is spotted just as the sun begins its ascent.

We have reached the river, sticking to the bank of the dried expanse so that we can duck back into the dunes at a moment's notice. I am taking advantage of the early light, scanning the sky and wondering about how much quicker our progress would be if we didn't have to stay within reach of the dunes when I spot the now-familiar shape on the horizon.

"There." I rasp, pointing to the East as the brothers draw up beside me.

Jaron rubs his beard thoughtfully. "The question now becomes, do we continue our route South or follow the river to the next tower?"

"There is no telling whether these fortresses lead anywhere." Rowan muses aloud from somewhere behind us.

"That is true, but until we see another air machine the towers remain the only thing we can track." Jaron glares at the sky, crossing his arms as if he could command an airship into existence.

"The sun is nearly up, we won't be able to travel any further tonight." I say. "Let's split into groups of two and spread out along the riverbed. That way, several people can watch more of the sky." Divide and conquer. That's what Will would do.

Jaron nods. "Good idea." Turning back to the group. "You heard her, pair off and spread out. We will meet back here at sundown."

It turns out that I'm not half-bad at forming a plan. When we congregate the next evening Luca reports seeing a ship heading East, earning a grin of approval from Jaron.

We have only been walking for an hour when we hear it; the gentle sputter of a propeller spinning from somewhere high above our heads. We crouch low against the dunes, listening intently to the distant sound, grinning to ourselves when it passes from West to East, confirming our destination.

I remain stock-still, concentrating on the barely-visible point of light overhead. My eyes burn and blur as I fight to focus, my every sense honed in on the faint suggestion of the passing ship.

Then, all at once, it vanishes.

I blink, shaking my head slightly as I systematically scan the midnight blue horizon. There is nothing; no sound from the propeller, no shadow blacking out the stars.

It is as if the ship vanished into thin air.

"We should wait here until daylight." I hear myself say. "It isn't safe to go any further."

"You cannot be serious." Luca protests. "We are so close, it would be foolish to stop now."

I shake my head firmly. I agree that the ship was infuriatingly close after so many days of seeing nothing and I long to continue forward, pushing straight into the dark shadow where the stranger's muted light disappeared.

The old Kay would have done exactly that.

"We stay hidden." I insist, looking from Luca to Jaron. "There is something up ahead and I don't think we should continue until we have seen it clearly."

Jaron considers me briefly before nodding his assent. "All right."

As I hoped, the early dawn hours reveal the Madam's secret. I peer with the others around the base of the dune, my eyes stretched wide as I stare at what lies ahead.

We finally found it.

Jaron immediately scrawls the coordinates to Meg and sends the note back to the City with the half-dozen remaining soldiers. I watch the back of our retreating comrades as I stand shoulder to shoulder with Jaron, Luca and Rowan, staunch in my decision to remain behind.

We have work to do.