The paranoia hits me instantly. What if Zero had overheard my conversation with Tremaine? I haven’t forgotten what happened to me the last time I was out in public alone just a few short days ago. Now I’m sitting safely in a hotel room, but I still can’t ignore the feeling that someone might burst in at any moment.
Concentrate.
I am about to place another call, this time to the Phoenix Riders—when a movement out near my balcony makes me freeze. I crane my neck, eyes searching for a moment, until I see that someone has emerged onto the balcony of Jax’s suite next to mine.
It’s Zero.
The glow from the city sprawl below outlines his shape in dim light. He stares out at the landscape for a moment, his eyes sweeping slowly toward my room. I want to turn my gaze away, in case he can see me watching him.
A voice says his name, and Zero turns as Jax joins him on the balcony. I hold my breath, looking on as she stops before him. She’s fiddling with her gun again, just as she’d done when she was with me, taking out its cartridge and clicking a new one into place, her movements subtle and efficient. It’s as if the habit comforts her.
As I look on, Jax takes a step closer to Zero so that she is nearly touching him, and then she says something to him that I can’t hear.
Something softens in his expression. He leans toward her and closes his eyes, then murmurs something into her ear. Whatever it is, it makes her shift slightly in his direction. They don’t touch. All they do is stay that way, locked in a subtle embrace, sharing something that makes me think of the way Hideo used to pull me to him.
He follows her back inside, and then the two are gone.
I find myself breathing again, my cheeks flushing slightly at the scene. There’s an undeniable familiarity between them.
Moments later, her front door clicks shut. I don’t know where she’s going, but the fact that she’s gone makes my shoulders sag a little in relief. Maybe Zero’s gone with her. Or maybe she’s alone now and watchingme. After all, Zero had told me that she would be looking out for my well-being.
I take a deep breath, then send out a joint invite to the Phoenix Riders.
Asher connects first, and before long, so do all the others. They’re back in Asher’s home, no doubt prepping for tomorrow’s game. He lets out a long breath at the sight of me, while Hammie spits out a curse and crosses her arms.
“About time,” she snaps at me.
“We were about to report you missing to the police,” Asher adds, one of his hands tapping on his wheelchair’s armrest, “except that would alert Hideo that something was wrong with you.”
“I’ll explain everything,” I say in a low voice. “But first, I need a favor.”
“What is it?” Roshan asks.
“When do you all head out to Tokyo Dome tomorrow?”
“Right around sundown. Henka Games is sending cars for us. Why?”
“I need to be in the dome with you,” I say, “in the restricted areas, where only the players are allowed. I need access to Hideo.”
“What’s going on?” Hammie asks. “It’s Zero, isn’t it?”
I glance toward the balcony again, lingering on the empty spot where Zero and Jax had just been moments earlier. “Yeah.”
At that, Hammie uncrosses her arms, blinking rapidly. “Okay, I didn’t think you seriously contacted him.”
“I didn’t. He contacted me.” I hesitate. “He saved me from a few Dark World assassins who were out for a bounty on my head.”
“What?” Hammie’s eyes widen even more at that, while Roshan leans forward, muttering a rare curse under his breath.
“You should’ve told us,” he says.
I decide not to mention my accidental call to Hideo yet. “I’m okay,” I reply. “And, yes, he did make me an offer. It’s too much to explain like this. But, listen—if they’re serious about what they want me to do, I’m going to need your help.”
10
Four Days until the Warcross Closing Ceremony
In the historyof the Warcross championships, there has never been a rematch of any kind—and what that means this afternoon, hours before the game starts, is that no one really knows how to celebrate it.
