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“Sick of me already?” I was going for a teasing tone, but mostly I just sounded tired.

“It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?” I stepped up close to him, so close that I could sort of see his eyes behind the visor.

He set his hands on my shoulders. “That guy in the suit nearly took down seven Knights singlehandedly. Whatever is going on here, it’s very dangerous. And you need to stay far, far away from it.”

“But—”

“You’re like a moth to a flame, Seven. You charge toward danger, not away from it.”

I laughed. “I am so not like that.”

“You ran toward the Cursed Ones when they attacked the Garden. You ran toward the battle when the Techno Knight attacked the Tournament.”

My smile faded.

“I just want you to be safe.” Kato gave my shoulders a squeeze.

Then he took off running, moving so fast that he left me far behind.

CHAPTER7

DRY LIGHTNING

“Thank goodness you’re all right!”

Arms crushed me. The air was being slowly squeezed out of my lungs. Black spots danced in front of me. I tried to focus my eyes, but then the ground seemed to snap up and crash into me.

“Nevada!” I choked out. “I really need to breathe!”

The arms released their iron-grip on me. My best friend stumbled back from my front door, looking sheepish. “Sorry. I’m just so glad you’re all right. After what happened at the Oval…” She shuddered.

“I’m fine.” My ears were ringing. I knocked on my head to make it stop. But it didn’t stop.

Nevada’s honey-colored eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?”

“My ears are ringing.”

Her mouth hung open. “Did that fiend?—”

“It wasn’t the fiend. It was my crazy best friend who strangled me with a hug the moment I answered the door.”

“Oh.” The word popped on her lips. “Maybe you should sit down.”

“Yeah.” I waved her inside. “Come on in.”

I closed the door after her. Then, limbs heavy and tired, I trudged over to my ugly sofa. When I plopped down, the ancient piece of furniture let out a satisfying squeak.

Nevada lowered herself gracefully beside me. Her eyes gave me a long, thorough looking-over.

“Yes?” I said, sliding down the sofa until I was low enough to lean my head against the frayed backrest. “What are you doing?”

“My best friend in all the world was in the middle of a battle.” Her gaze continued to sweep over my body. “I’d be a bad friend if I didn’t make sure you’re all right. Plus, Dante would totally chew me out. He wanted to come, you know, but the Knights tasked his team to help with the Oval cleanup. And your mom’s tending to the wounded.”

“Were there many wounded?”

“I’m looking at one right now.” She frowned when she saw the bruises on my arms.