Her crystal-blue eyes glint with mirth. “Your words.”
I’m about to deliver a crippling comeback, because I absolutely have one, when my handheld buzzes. It’s a message from Rudy Rivon. I’ll be on Skyhub next week for business. I was hoping we could set aside some time for our interview. Will you be free?
Ah, crap.
With everything going on, I’d completely forgotten about my promise to give Rivon an interview. Which… is fine. It’s fine. I mean, my lungs suddenly feel sticky, and I have the odd yet persistent urge to bury my face under a rock, but it’s a little late to be having second thoughts. I made a deal. I have to see it through. Besides, what’s one interview? Recorded for NewsNet? Aired to trillions of people around the galaxy?
I should be able to make time around lunch,I reply.
Same day next week?
Sure.
Perfect. Meet me at the Aurtortorium Museum at noon?
See you there.
I pocket my handheld and go back to peeling apart the burnt pages of Moon Dancer’s manual. I think I do a pretty good job of hiding my discomposure, but Lament (possibly through that yet undiscovered ability to read minds) notices anyway. From all the way across the room. While on his back under Moon Dancer’s body. And—rather than use his mind reading powers to acknowledge I don’t want to talk about it—he slides out, marches over, and asks, “What’s wrong?”
“If I tell you it’s nothing, will you pretend to believe me and walk away?”
He crosses his arms. “No.”
I sigh. “I’m doing an interview with a reporter from NewsNet. Rudy Rivon.”
Lament blinks. And it’s the oddest thing, but he looks… disappointed? “Oh.”
“Oh?”
“I mean, right. Yes. I can understand why you might be apprehensive about that.”
I study him, feeling like I’m missing something. “Do you?”
“Of course.” He pulls at his sleeve. A habit, but also a tell. He’s upset. Why is he upset? “You’re the Sixth’s newest member. This will be your first foray into the limelight. If you’re interested in garnering a public image, it only makes sense—”
“Wait. What?” I reel back. “Lament, I’m not giving an interview because I want to befamous.”
He blinks up at me. “You don’t?”
“No.” I blow out a breath. “Seriously?”
He holds up his hands. “Sorry?”
“I’m trying to work out whether I should be offended.”
“I didn’t mean it.”
“You very clearly did mean it.”
“I just…” He blushes. “You’re right. I wasn’t thinking. I know you better than that. But…” He bites his lip. “So then why are you giving the interview?”
“Um.” Shit. “Rudy and I sort of had a deal.”
Now Lament is the one looking confused. “A deal?”
“Yes.” I focus very hard on the pages in my hands. “I told Rivon I’d give him an exclusive interview if he deleted all the photos taken of you on Venthros.”
Lament’s mouth parts. “Youwhat?”
