"What?"
"You're not going to sacrifice yourself for people you've never met. You're going to be smart. Strategic. You're going to let us help you and accept that sometimes the best move is the one that keeps you alive."
"I can't promise that."
"Then promise me you'll try."
Her hand found my face. Cupped my jaw in a gesture that felt more intimate than anything we'd done physically.
"I'll try."
"Good enough." She kissed me. Brief. Intense. A promise and a warning wrapped together. "Now. We have nineteen days to prepare for a match, plan a rescue operation, compile evidence against your father, and avoid getting killed by corporate assassins."
Mera laughed. The sound was slightly unhinged.
"Just another Tuesday."
The next three hours were organizational chaos.
