Damn him.She chewed on her lip.
With a long, shuddering breath, Vee straightened, rubbed color into her cheeks, and left the room—with Bees following at her heels. It didn’t take long before she found Cypher waiting for her in the back of the ship in front of the open hatch. He was gazing out over the docked vessels in the field. Folded over his left arm was both of their gamer suits.
Her heartbeat increased. Her toes curled.
“Good morning,” she whispered. Though she wanted nothing more than to bombard him with questions, to ask about the noises last night, and most of all, to ask why he was pulling away, she kept her words locked inside.
“Morning. You ready?” he asked.
“I think so.”
“Good. Let’s go.” He stepped off the ship.
Vee licked her lips and followed him. Tension radiated off of him.
A few minutes later, they were sailing through the airways at breakneck speeds and requesting docking permits at the virtual world stadium. Her heart thrummed when it came into view.
This was happening.It’s really happening.
When they landed, they were greeted by a rep who ushered them into a private waiting room that overlooked the stadium.
Vee moved to the window and shivered. It hit her like a truck. Today was the semi-finals. It was here. Despite everything, time had continued throughout it all.
People filtered into the seating spaces on every side, carrying signs and wearing the colors of their favorite teams. She pressed her hands to the glass when she saw people inhercolors, with images of her and Cypher on their chests.
“Oh, God…” she muttered.
Cypher stepped up next to her and joined her looking out. “Looks like it’s going to be packed.”
“We’re ready, right?”
“Yes, and even if we weren’t, it’s too late now.”
Vee curled her fingers.Oh, God! I’m not ready. I’m not ready!Cypher had been too much of a distraction.
His hand came down on her head. “You’ll be fine.”
She twisted away with a terrified squeak. “We haven’t even discussed what we’re going to do about the Trentians!”
Cypher’s face hardened. “Whatever is necessary.”
“Oh my God, we’re going to lose.” She was going to hyperventilate.
“They’ve never added a stipulation like that in any of the past games,” Cypher muttered, following her back into the room. “I uploaded and studied them all into my head last night.”
“I know,” she said on an exhale. “The game’s never gone there before…” It didn’t make her feel any better; it only made everything worse. “Are you going to be okay?” she asked, glancing up at him.
“We’ll see.”
Oh, God.
The next hour went by in a blur, she and Cypher changed into the gear and waited in silence. His mood progressively darkened, and his eyes faded. She knew he was somewhere off in his head, doing whatever Cyborgs did, and she couldn’t bring herself to disturb him. Nerves seized her.
When the intercom went off, and distant cheers filled her ears, she jumped from her seat in a panic. An attendant came and fetched them, and they were led down to the stadium floor where thirteen rigs were set up, some bigger than others to accommodate larger teams.
Adrenaline surged through every cell in her body.This is it.
I can do this.
