'Did she recognize me?'
After the ascension games, his face had become well known across the Span. He could barely walk the streets without being stopped, sometimes even asked for autographs.
The attention was dangerous, especially when he couldn't afford to distinguish friend from foe, which was why he had split off from the others in the first place.
'She's coming.'
The girl began marching toward him without hesitation. Atticus frowned faintly as she stopped just in front of him, studying his face with wide, unblinking eyes.
"What—"
"I want you."
"…?"
Atticus blinked once, then again, convinced he must have misheard.
"What?"
"My brother says I waste money, but he doesn't know how much I've saved. Name your price. I'll pay it."
A purse suddenly appeared in her grip, and she opened it, holding it out toward him as she waited for his response.
Her brows were drawn together in expectation.
"…"
"Huh?"
