“Thanks,” she mumbles.
The man turns back to me. “My name is Dominic,” he says, then pauses for a moment. I can’t tell if he’s honestly thinking or if he’s just trying to give me the impression that he is. “Your brother,” he finally adds, “works for the AIS.”
A rush of fear washes over me. Pressa gives me a quick, alarmed stare. Underneath all of that, I also feel that familiar undercurrent of resentment, of being identified only in relation to Daniel.
The man named Dominic must have read my expression well, because he continues, “And you are a top student at Ross University of the Sciences. You’re graduating a year early, with honors. I’ve seen your name in the news for some of your college designs.”
Now this surprises me. I have been in the local news before for my science experiments, but no one has ever really commented on it. I frown at the man, unsure whether to feel wary or flattered. “Why do you know so much about us?” I ask.
“I make a point to know about everyone participating in the drone races,” he says as we walk. “It’s just good business.”
Business. Is this man a sponsor for the entire race? He certainly had no problems blowing ten thousand corras to be my patron. Warnings buzz louder in my head at his words. I think about how far we are from the elevators that will take us back up to the Sky Floors. We’ll have to at least humor him for a while longer.
“Thank you for sponsoring him, er, Mr. Dominic,” Pressa says for me, breaking my hesitant pause.
He waves a hand at us. “No need to thank me,” he replies. “Your prize money will more than make up for my investment. Smart move to enter the race tonight.” He raises an eyebrow at me. “Where did you learn to make an engine like that?”
I shrug, unsure how to answer. “I’ve been working on its design ever since I was a freshman,” I reply. “Drones just happen to be a cool way to test it, and earn us some money in the meantime.”
Dominic nods. “I’ve never seen an engine like yours before,” he says, and the impressed note in his voice is so genuine that I can’t help but feel a little proud. “You can apply this engine design to powering anything?”
I nod. “Anything.”
We reach the end of the alley. Here, the narrow space opens back up to a main Undercity street. “Well, this is where we part for the night,” Dominic says. “You have my word that no one will bother you as you both head home. I expect to see you tomorrow for the finals.” He gives us a small smile.
“Wait—” I start to say. There’s so much left unanswered. Who the hell is he? What does he do in the Undercity? What’s his level of involvement in the drone races?
But he’s already swallowed by shadows as he heads back down the alley. Pressa and I are left standing in the middle of the busy street with our winnings, people streaming past us in both directions.
We stare at each other in bewilderment.
“Dominic,” I mutter at her. “That doesn’t ring any bells for you, does it?”
She shakes her head. “Beats me. But you got your patron.” Then she steps closer to me and gives me a grave look. “You don’t have to do this. If you bow out, you won’t have to repay his patron money. He’ll get it returned. If you’re uncomfortable with this … well, you live in the Sky Floors, anyway, and…”
She trails off as she bites her lip.
I think of Pressa’s dad, his fragile frame and his weak voice. How much he needs his medicine. My gaze lingers on her dark eyes and heart-shaped face, and I realize that her nearness is making my cheeks warm.
It’s true that I don’t know what I’m getting myself into. But whatever I’m in, Pressa is too. What might happen to her and her father in the Undercity if I don’t show up for the final race?
“I’ll meet you after classes tomorrow,” I tell her instead. “We can talk about it then.”
DANIEL
The next morning, Eden’s gone before I even have a chance to see him. I walk out of my bedroom to see his door already flung open, revealing the mess of his bed and his pile of clothes on the floor. His dishes are already in the kitchen sink.
Figures. It’s the last day of his exams, anyway, so maybe he had to head out early. I remind myself of this, trying not to let his absence bother me as I freshen up and pull on my suit.
On any other day, I probably would give in and track his location, just to make sure he’s where he says he is. But today, thankfully, there’s something else to distract me.
June’s coming into town.
The call pops up in my view right as I head out the door. “Hope you slept well, Wing,” Jessan says. “The Elector and his party are scheduled to land at AIS headquarters in an hour. You on your way yet?”
“Stepping out the door right now,” I reply.
There’s a pause on the other side, followed by Jessan’s amused voice. “You sound more nervous than usual. Could it be because of someone on the Republic’s plane?”
I scowl at her laughter. Everyone here knows about my past with June, apparently. Who knew a bunch of foreigners were always watching the news about us and fabricating their own ideas about two fugitives on the run?
“Your mind’s playing tricks on you, sweetheart,” I reply, trying to keep my voice nonchalant this time. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“Sure, sure.” I can hear Jessan’s smile in her answer. “It’s okay if you’re distracted today, you know.”
“I’m not distracted.”
“Yeah, that’s a convincing statement. I’ve lost count of how many times you’ve asked about when the Republic’s going to visit us.”
“Ten minutes, Jess.”
“Right, okay. See you soon. And if you have trouble finding words after you see Miss June Iparis today, just tell us—”
I roll my eyes and hang up the call before Jessan can keep going.
But as I walk alone to the elevators that will take me several floors up and twenty buildings over to where the AIS headquarters are, my thoughts keep wandering to June.
It’s not like she’s here just to see me. She’ll be accompanying her Elector, guarding his safety while he meets with Antarctica’s President. Maybe she won’t care much about whether or not I’m there. All the notice she gave me, after all, was a quick text message several weeks ago to let me know that she’d be in Ross City.
But I don’t care. The image of her lingers in my mind as I step into an elevator. For all that I hate Jessan’s teasing, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about June since I found out she was visiting. My dreams last night were an exhausting blend of nightmares—some about the shadowy Dominic Hann I’ve been pursuing, some about Eden’s safety … and some about June.
Visions of June uninterested in seeing me today. Of her turning away and heading back to the Republic’s plane. Of her being polite and distant. We’ve seen each other only once after a decade apart. What if we’ve changed too much? What if we’re just not meant to be?
* * *
The AIS headquarters is a lavish spread of offices accompanied with a landing pad on its top floor. During my time here, I’ve seen all sorts of world leaders touch down to talk to our President while several of our AIS agent teams follow along.