Page 24

SEVENTEEN

G ardens and vines burrowed into Vohre’s skeleton. She imagined it was the same wild greenery that encompassed Vohre Forest, just beyond the city’s northeast border. As much as Kel wanted to hate everything about Vohre, she was captivated by the city’s green-hued lights.

“Do you think they have radar towers throughout the city?” Bekn asked. “They’ve built the city center oddly close to Vohre Forest. There must be safeguards in place, to keep any curious wild phoenixes out.”

Kel glanced up at the tall buildings. Though she wasn’t as paranoid about rogue phoenixes catapulting through Vohre, it was strange that Cendor’s capital bordered a forest where no rational human would ever venture.

She was closer than she’d ever been to where her father had died, at the forest’s edge, but she desperately clung to the sights and sounds around her, refusing to let that knowledge drown her senses.

“This is nothing compared to Dresva’s cities,” Dira grumbled.

Kel couldn’t help but laugh. Cristo had urged them into Vohre the next morning. He’d handed them a company card and a map to the nearest CAPR office. They’d registered for an upcoming race and were meandering back to Cristo Industries, drinking in the day with giddy smiles.

Oska would have loved this.

The thought crept through Kel of its own accord, and nausea stabbed at her stomach. Their Asciran rider would have adored the lights, the noise, the sleek fashion of the people passing by.

Coup rubbed his hands, and Kel let it distract her. “If this view’s any indication, I bet Vohre’s tracks are fit for the Alchemists.”

Excitement glowed in Coup’s eyes. He pulled up the sleeves of his green sweater, revealing tanned, muscled forearms dancing with new and faded burns similar to Kel’s. She was still adjusting to seeing him in ordinary clothes, outside of his riding leathers.

“We should have waited for Rahn to show us the way,” Dira mumbled, kicking a stone.

The other Howlers laughed. Kel put a consoling hand on Dira’s arm.

“Rahn was busy, right? We couldn’t wait.” Though Bekn’s voice was even, practical, his lips twitched up.

Dira kicked another stone. “Yeah. She was taking a friend to an appointment. Or something.”

Kel couldn’t hold back a fit of giggles. Dira’s pout turned to a scowl.

“Do I have some new competition for your favorite teammate?” Kel teased, putting an arm around Dira’s waist.

Dira merely stuck out her foot, trying—and failing—to trip Kel. She slipped from Kel’s grip and skipped ahead, but Kel didn’t miss the dark flush across her friend’s cheeks.

They strolled another two blocks toward Cristo’s fortress before Dira, still ahead, jolted to a stop. “ Ashes! Look.”

Dira pointed ahead toward Cristo’s entry gates. Bekn, Coup and Kel had been too busy taking in the sights to notice the three white vans obscuring the metal entrance, each crowded by cameras.

Kel grimaced. “They’re not waiting for us, are they?”

Bekn scrunched his nose. “You and Coup are still on the news cycle. Word would’ve reached them about our recruitment.

” He let out a long breath, then straightened his jacket.

“But this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of their attention. Cristo and I have already started to strategize ways to keep this public interest up.”

Dira, Coup and Kel exchanged wary frowns.

Bekn pulled two strips of paper from his trouser pocket. He quickly handed one ticket to Kel and the other to Coup, who seemed equally skeptical of Bekn’s sudden cheer.

Kel grimaced as she scanned the red paper—a ticket—with golden writing: 1 PASS TO CENDOR’S ONLY SALTAN SANCTUARY.

Kel had just opened her mouth to object when Bekn raised a hand.

“Oh, I know, exploring a conservation center will be such a hardship. Cooing over animals and having a generally pleasant time sounds like utter torture. But you’ll manage, because I’ve organized for you and Coup to attend the park and show your support for Cristo’s own exhibition there. ”

“ When did you even have time? We’ve been here a day ,” Coup huffed.

“I multitask.” Bekn shrugged. “All you two have to do is explore the sights and wave at any cameras that coincidentally happen to be there.”

Coup and Kel cursed in unison.

“No way,” Coup barked. “We should be training, instead.”

Kel nodded. “We need to prepare Savita for our first race.”

Her gaze flickered to Coup, frustration clenching her fists. The last thing she needed was to spend an entire day alone with Warren Coupers.

“We can ensure race coverage, but we need a… well-rounded approach to maintaining media momentum,” Bekn said. “This will help.”

“Why would the media care if they visit some conservation center?” Dira chimed in.

Bekn’s lips twisted to the side. “Maybe someone extremely handsome and woefully underappreciated has leaked Kel and Coup’s planned visit, and maybe there’s a rumor that they’re venturing out for their first official date.”

“Not happening,” Kel snapped. “In what universe would I—”

“Leaning into the romance rumors will boost public ratings and encourage media attention in anticipation of our first race,” Bekn cut in. “The more media attention we get, the happier Cristo is. All you have to do is walk around and lean into what they’re starting to assume.”

“It’s a waste of time!” Kel exclaimed.

“Varra and I already have to train together,” Coup sneered. “Now you want me glued to her side all day?”

Something about Coup’s words tightened Kel’s throat, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it.

“The more effort we put into garnering media attention off the track, the fewer stunts we’ll have to pull on the track to draw their focus,” Bekn replied.

Coup and Bekn locked eyes, long enough that Kel thought something unspoken passed between them. Eventually, Coup looked into his lap and mumbled, “Fine.”

“But it’s not ,” Kel threw back.

Bekn leaned further forward toward her. “Three hours at the park. Holding hands. Waving to cameras if you see them.”

“One hour,” Kel said flatly. “And I’m not holding anyone’s hand. Especially his.”

Coup made an offended sound.

“Two hours and you’ll stand close enough to fake affection,” Bekn countered. “Final offer.”

Kel pursed her lips. The idea of spending time alone with Coup—outside of training—made her stomach swoop in a strange way.

“Fine,” Kel muttered.

Coup sighed. Slowly, he turned to Kel. “Ready to swoon over me at the park, Varra?”