Reporters.
Medics.
Officials.
Camera drones.
They surrounded her in a dizzying blur of lights and voices.
“Mara! How does it feel to be the first human champion?”
“Mara, did you expect to win?”
“Mara, what will you do with the prize credits?”
“Mara, was that a real kiss or part of the show?”
“Mara, look this way!”
Hands tugged at her arms. Microphones shoved toward her face. Cameras flashed. She tried to look past them, tried to find Vaelor, tried to push through the crowd—
But he was gone.
Vanished into the chaos.
Her heart was hurting.
She twisted, searching the arena, but the crowd swallowed her whole. She was lifted onto a platform, lights blinding her, the Game Master shaking her hand, the audience chanting her name.
“MARA! MARA! MARA!”
She forced a smile, waving mechanically, but her chest felt hollow.
She had won.
She had survived.
She had made history.
But she had lost sight of the one person she wanted beside her.
Vaelor.
Her partner.
Her protector.
Her love.
And as the celebration roared around her, Mara felt a cold dread settle in her stomach.
Where had he gone?
Would she ever see him again?
Chapter 44
Vaelor
