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Takeshi held himself still as he observed the scene with a quiet intensity, his posture unnervingly rigid.

As they moved deeper into the grand space, the lever machines gave way to tables covered in green felt. Some mid-sized tables were surrounded by people intently studying cards, while others had large crowds cheering as someone threw tiny white blocks across them. Men and women shouted and cheered as if their deepest wishes were being granted.

Her gaze flickered to the intimidating guards lining the walls.

Unlike the guests, they wore black metal vests, visible earpieces, and held guns.

The Dealers.

They surveyed the room like bloodthirsty sharks, the kind Winnie had once mentioned lurked in the ocean.

Khalani ducked her head as Raziel led them to a secluded corner where only a few people were playing on machines, lost in their own world.

One of the Dealers stood with his arms crossed and back against the golden wall. He had a sizable frame, a sharp buzz cut, and a neatly combed mustache. His gaze drifted past Khalani and Takeshi, narrowing on Raziel.

“You’re late,” the Dealer grumbled as Raziel approached.

“If I recall, Sylas, the Aces are always on time. Isn’t that what you meant to say?” Raziel inclined his head, and the subtle threat hung in the air.

Sylas swallowed hard, and after a moment his eyes dropped in concession.

“My mistake,” he muttered.

“Splendid.” Raziel’s voice brightened. “Did you get the files I sent?”

The Dealer shifted uncomfortably as he pulled a screened device from his pocket. “Yes. These the Davenhue’s?” He held up the screen, which displayed Khalani and Takeshi’s faces along with their bios.

Clarence and Mars Davenhue.

Ages twenty-one and twenty-five.

Residents of the Second Quarter.

Owners of a bakery.

No children.

Rebellion Sympathizers.

When did Raziel get pictures of them? Takeshi was even smiling in the photo.Smiling.

“In the flesh,” Raziel grinned, patting Khalani and Takeshi on the back.

Sylas’s gaze darted anxiously between them before he nodded, placing the screened device back in his pocket.

“The drop will happen at two a.m. in the Seven Diamonds Lounge. The Davenhues are expected to be early and intoxicated. The Dealerscan’tsense anything amiss. Do you understand?”

“They understand,” Raziel said on their behalf.

The two a.m. deadline was only a couple hours away—two hours before they’d be willingly taken into custody and transported to an unknown camp.

She picked at the skin around her nails, eyeing the exit.

Maybe the Aces knew of some other girl that wanted to be behind bars. If Khalani left now, she might be able to escape…

But Serene and Winnie’s faces flashed in her mind, and she relinquished her painful grip, realizing the truth.

The only way back was forward.