Chapter 41: 41.

The low hum of the spaceship's engines was the only sound in the dimly lit cabin. I sat on the edge of the narrow bench, my hands resting protectively on Liam’s back. His small, warm body was curled against my side, his steady breathing a comfort I didn’t deserve. The darkness outside the viewport stretched endlessly, dotted with the cold, distant light of stars. It should have been serene, but the weight of my decisions loomed heavy, and the quiet only sharpened my internal turmoil.

Liam shifted against me, his head nuzzling into my arm. His tousled brown hair brushed against my chin, and I froze for a moment, unsure if I’d woken him. A part of me hoped he’d stay asleep, oblivious to the storm brewing in my chest. But he stirred again, his soft voice breaking the fragile silence.

“Mom?” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

“Yes, sweetheart?” I whispered, brushing a hand through his messy hair.

“What are you thinking about?” His question, innocent as it was, struck me like a bolt of lightning.

My heart clenched, and I hesitated. How could I possibly tell him the truth? That I was thinking about the danger I’d dragged us into? That I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to keep him safe? That the weight of Ace’s words, my lies, and the constant chase were suffocating me?

“Nothing,” I lied softly, my voice barely audible. I forced a smile he couldn’t see in the dark and pressed a kiss to his temple. “Go back to sleep, Liam. It’s late.”

His arms tightened around me as if he didn’t quite believe me, but he didn’t argue. He simply buried his face deeper into my side, letting out a small sigh.

For a moment, I allowed myself to believe the lie I’d told him. That everything was fine. That we were safe. But the lie shattered as the spaceship shuddered violently beneath us.

The sudden jolt threw me forward, my hand flying out to brace against the wall. Liam let out a sharp cry, his small hands clutching at me in panic.

“Mom! What’s happening?” he whimpered, his voice trembling.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, pulling him closer and scanning the room frantically. The dim lights flickered, casting eerie shadows across the cabin. My heart pounded, each beat echoing in my ears as I struggled to calm both him and myself.

“It’s okay, Liam. I’ve got you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

The door to the cabin slid open with a sharp hiss, revealing Xander. His sharp green eyes were wide with urgency, his normally composed expression tight with tension.

“Zephyr,” he said, his voice low but commanding, “we need to move. Now.”

“What’s going on?” I demanded, clutching Liam protectively as I stood.

“The ship’s been compromised. They’re here,” Xander snapped, glancing back down the corridor. “We don’t have time for questions. Follow me.”

I didn’t argue. There was no time to argue. I shifted Liam in my arms, his face pressed against my neck as I hurried after Xander. The sound of blaster fire echoed faintly through the ship, each shot sending a fresh wave of fear through me.

The hallway was dim and narrow, the occasional flicker of overhead lights casting long, distorted shadows. The ship shuddered again, the vibrations rattling through the metal walls and floor.

“Mom, I’m scared,” Liam whispered, his voice barely audible.

“I know, sweetheart,” I whispered back, my voice cracking. “But I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

Xander led us through a series of twisting corridors, his movements quick and purposeful. I struggled to keep up, my legs trembling with both fear and exertion.

We turned a corner and nearly collided with Ace, who was crouched at the end of the hallway, his blaster raised. He turned to glare at us, his dark eyes sharp and accusing.

“They’re closing in,” Ace barked, firing a shot down the hallway. The air crackled with energy as his shot hit its mark, and a distant scream followed. “Xander, this is bad. We can’t hold them off much longer.”

“We’re not holding them off,” Xander replied curtly, pulling a device from his belt. He pressed a button, and a faint beeping noise echoed through the corridor. “I’ve called for my ship. We’re getting out of here.”

Ace cursed under his breath, firing another shot before retreating toward us.

The ship jolted again, harder this time. I stumbled, nearly losing my grip on Liam. Xander grabbed my arm, steadying me before continuing down the hallway.

When we reached the docking bay, I saw Xander’s personal spaceship hovering just outside the open hatch. Its sleek, dark design was illuminated by the glow of its thrusters, and the sound of its engines was deafening.

“Hurry!” Xander shouted, waving us forward.

Ace fired another shot over his shoulder before turning and sprinting toward the ship. I followed, my heart pounding as the sounds of blaster fire grew louder behind us.

We scrambled aboard, and the hatch sealed shut behind us with a hiss. The ship lurched forward, and I stumbled into a seat, clutching Liam tightly.

Ace turned to us, his face flushed with anger. His gaze landed on Liam, and his expression darkened.

“Who the hell is the kid?” he demanded, his voice sharp and accusing.

I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came out. My throat felt tight, and the fear that had been simmering beneath the surface threatened to overwhelm me.

“This is not the time for this,” Xander snapped from the cockpit, his hands flying over the controls. “Focus on getting us out of here.”

Ace muttered something under his breath but didn’t press further. I sank deeper into the seat, my arms still wrapped protectively around Liam. His small body trembled against mine, and I could feel the dampness of his tears soaking into my jacket.

“It’s going to be okay,” I whispered to him, though the words felt hollow. “I promise.”

But even as I said them, I wasn’t sure I believed them myself.