I sigh, tearing a hand through my hair. “You better.”
She nods, her expression softening. “I promise.”
Good.
“How bad is it out there?” Leigh asks, worry creasing her brow.
“Bad,” I admit. The streets remind me of a dystopian novel. People are fighting, looting, and scared for their lives.
Leigh rolls her bottom lip between her teeth. “What caused the blackout?”
“I don’t know yet, but I have Soter looking into it.”
“Well, while he’s at it, he should look for Janus Dyer.”
“What do you mean? Where is the president?” I ask.
Leigh snorts. “Your guess is as good as mine. She no-showed to our Council meeting.” Her gaze darkens. “She did it on purpose.”
“Woah.” I steady her with my hands on her shoulders. “Slow down. What do you mean?”
“I can’t present changes?—”
“No, sorry, what do you mean she no-showed?”
“She called and said she wasn’t coming, and then the power outage happened.”
My attention drifts out the window facing the city, and unease tightens my shoulders. If Janus is out there and in trouble, we need to find her.
Without another word, I release Leigh and take out my phone, bringing it to my ear.
“Who are you calling?” Leigh asks, touching her face.
“Soter.”
“Why?”
“To tell him about Janus.”
Leigh’s brow wrinkles. “Do you think she’s in trouble?”
“It’s possible.” Considering how I overreacted about Leigh, I don’t want to jump to any conclusions about Janus. But we can’t be too careful until we know what’s going on.
“Oh, gods.” Leigh starts to pace. “What if something happened to her?”
“It’s going to be—Soter!”
“It’s about fucking time,” Soter replies. “Did you find her?”
“Yes,” I grumble.
Soter laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “I told you so.”
“When you are done preening, we have a new situation on our hands.”
Soter stops laughing. “What sort of situation?”
“Janus Dyer called out of the Council meeting before the blackout. I want to know why,” I explain, and Soter curses under his breath. “Find her and ensure her safety. But don’t alert the media. We don’t need the whole city searching for her in this circus.”
