Free Take Back the Skies by Lucy Saxon Page B

always good to get a little extra, to distribute back in Anglya. Goods can only have come from one place, but money can come from anywhere so it’s easier to spread around without suspicion. I used to send Fox out – he likes to keep his skills sharp – but he’s getting too big now. You’re small and nimble. Think you can swipe a few purses without getting caught?’
    Cat frowned, thinking it over. She’d never tried to steal a purse before, but she’d stolen things from her father’s office all the time – usually things he’d confiscated from her to begin with – and he’d never noticed. But would anyone in Siberene have a purse worth stealing? According to their news reports, even the upper classes were poor.
    â€˜I think I could do that. And I like a challenge,’ she replied boldly, trusting Harry not to make her steal from those already in need.
    Harry pushed the galley door open.
    â€˜That’s the spirit! See how you go, but don’t risk it too much. We won’t be able to get you out of jail if you get caught. And, uh, don’t tell the missus. She doesn’t approve.’
    â€˜Why’s Cat going to jail?’ Matt asked casually from where he was loading sandwiches on to his plate.
    â€˜Pickpocketing in Siberene. And he’s not going if he can help it,’ Harry replied. ‘Oh, Ben’s staying up to get us through the rest of the Secondary. Be prepared for a few bumps, by the way, Cat. It will be a bit of a rough crossing.’ As if to emphasise his point, the ship shunted sideways, and Matt made a frantic dive as one of his sandwiches attempted to make a getaway on to the floor, catching it just in time.
    â€˜I’ll take Ben’s up. I’m sure he’d appreciate the company,’ he announced, putting more sandwiches on a separate plate and balancing it on top of his own meal. Harry shot Cat a look, and she grinned back at him as Matt left. She was learning.

Chapter 6
    â€˜Hey, Cat, get your coat and gloves.’
    Cat looked up at Fox, leaning in the door frame of her room.
    â€˜We’re here?’ she asked in excitement, and he nodded.
    â€˜Landing in ten – thought you might want to be on deck for descent. Get your gloves,’ he repeated, a half-smile tugging at his lips. She hurried to obey, digging through the clothes she’d been given and eventually finding a thick leather pair in the pocket of one of the coats.
    â€˜Don’t you have work to do during landing?’ she questioned, bringing her goggles up over her eyes.
    He shrugged.
    â€˜Matt won’t mind if I skip out just this once to take you topside. He spent half his first months here on deck every time we took off or landed. He acts like he only ever stays with the engines, but he’s as guilty as the rest of us,’ he confided.
    Seeing Cat was properly attired, he grabbed her by the crook of the elbow, tugging impatiently.
    â€˜Hurry up, or you’ll miss all the good parts,’ he urged, practically dragging her from the room.
    The pair ran up to the top deck, Fox chivvying Cat every time she even looked like she was slowing. Emerging on to the deck, Cat raced to the raised section of the bow, scrambled up the ladder and practically threw herself over the railing. Below her she could see the sprawling icy tundra of Siberene. In the centre, enormous white mountains sliced through clouds with ease, and stretching from the coast almost to the base of the closest mountain was the city. Syvana, closest to Anglya, was the biggest of the four Siberene cities – and it looked to be bustling with energy. Cat let out a breathless laugh; the people looked like ants from this height. She could see the shipyard with its sparse rows of berthed skyships, plumes of steam rising where some were getting ready to sail. She wondered if her mother had ever made the journey – perhaps accompanying the queen on royal