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“Maybe later,” I say, steering her away. “We’re meeting friends.”

The cosplayer looks disappointed but nods.Kiraglances back at them, a slight frown on her face.

“That was kind of rude,” she says. “It would’ve just taken a second.”

“Sorry,” I offer, leading her toward the service corridor. “I just don’t want your friend to worry.”

We reach the door marked “Staff Only.” I swipe my stolen security badge, which I acquired last week, and it opens with a soft click.

“Are we allowed back here?”Kiraasks, hesitating at the threshold.

“It’s fine. I know one of the organizers.” The lie comes easily. “This will save us fifteen minutes of fighting through the crowd.”

She steps through, and I follow, letting the door close. The hallway is dimly lit and eerily quiet compared to the convention floor. I can see her starting to sway slightly—the drug beginning to take effect, but too slowly.

“I feel a little dizzy,” she says, blinking hard. “Maybe that drink was stronger than I thought.”

“The heat in there was intense,” I explain, steadying her with an arm around her waist. “Let’s get some air before we find your friend.”

I guide her down the corridor toward the exit I’ve scouted. Halfway there, a door opens ahead of us. A convention staff member emerges, carrying a box of merchandise.

“Hey! This area is restricted,” he calls, frowning at us. “You need to return to the main floor.”

I feelKiratense beside me. This wasn’t in my calculations. I need to adapt quickly.

“I’m sorry. We got lost looking for the bathroom,” I explain, pullingKiracloser. “My girlfriend isn’t feeling well.”

The staff member’s expression softens slightly as he looks atKira, who does appear unsteady on her feet.

“Bathrooms are back on the main floor,” he says, pointing in the direction we came. “Take the first right after you go through those doors.”

“Thanks,” I say, turning us around reluctantly.

This is a problem. The drug is working too slowly, and now we’re heading back toward the crowded convention. I need to get her alone.

“I think I need to sit down,”Kiramumbles, her words beginning to slur slightly. “Everything’s spinning.”

“Almost there,” I assure her, spotting a janitor’s closet. That will have to do.

I check that the staff member has gone, then quickly guideKirato the closet. The door is locked, but I have tools for that. Thirty seconds of work with the pick set concealed in my costume, and we’re inside.

“What are we doing?”Kiraasks, confusion evident in her voice. The dim emergency light casts shadows across her face. “This isn’t the bathroom,” she says.

“You need to sit for a minute,” I tell her, easing her onto an overturned bucket. “You’re not well.”

She attempts to focus on my mask. “I should textJenna...”

“I already did,” I lie, taking her phone from her unresisting fingers. “Told her you’re taking a break in the quiet room.”

She nods slowly, accepting this. The drug is finally working, but we’re off schedule and in the wrong location. I need to get her to the van.

My earpiece crackles to life—my security monitoring app detecting radio chatter.

“...report of suspicious activity near the west service corridor. Male in Ghost costume with female Aloy cosplayer...”

Someone reported us—the staff member, most likely. I have minutes at most before security starts searching.

“We need to go,” I tellKira, pulling her to her feet. “Can you walk?”