Coup waggled his eyebrows. “I couldn’t deprive you of my investigative skills.”
His words sent her heart falling through her ribs. She didn’t know what had changed between them so suddenly—but as Coup’s features widened into their usual easy, teasing grin, something strange warmed her. From calming Savita at races to trusting her suspicions, Coup refused to let her keep him at a safe distance. Even Dira had respected Kel’s wariness. But Coup had either ignored Kel’s walls, or taken a sledgehammer to them. She’d had no choice but to let him in.
Over the next few days, Kel had to admit that their teamwork off the track was just as frustratingly efficient as it was on the track.
Coup helped her work where he could, and she forced him through his physical therapy every afternoon. Just as Dira had over the past week, Coup stayed by her side in Savita’s enclosure each night. She’d demanded that he sleep in his bed, to rest his leg and burns, but unless she physically hauled him from the aviary, she couldn’t make him leave.
So they lay together in the muggy dark, Savita curled at their feet like a huge house cat. The phoenix doted on Coup just as she did Kel, and for the first time, Kel watched them with no jealousy.
Side by side, they spoke of everything but their kiss. The memory of it snuck into her dreams and ghosted across her skin, exciting and terrifying, as if she’d been caught in a storm. She didn’t know if Coup felt the same charge between them, and she didn’t dare to ask. But where their barbed words used to feel easy, familiar, they now felt brittle. Something lingered beneath them, waiting to break.
Still, each night, they stole more bricks from the old, serrated walls between them to build the bones of something new.
Every night they returned to the aviary and saw nothing but empty shadows. Kel even dragged Dira and Bekn toThe Prismone afternoon—but the room had been cleaned. If Coup hadn’t seen the remains too, Kel might have truly convinced herself she’d imagined it.
As they hurried from Sav’s aviary four mornings later, Kel whispered, “Do you think they knew we found the ash?”
Coup looked down the empty hall before replying. “Maybe. But I doubt Cristo’s team cares what two seventeen-year-olds know. If they did, they’d have kicked us out of here by now.”
Kel nodded. “If the scientists don’t show up again, where else can we look for—”
“Look for what?”
The pair spun around. Kel’s stomach dropped.
Cristo strolled forward, hands clasped at the front of his blue blazer. His black hair fell in short, unruly waves around his face. The small heels of his brown shoes clicked as he moved closer, making Kel think of Savita’s talons hitting stone.
Kel swallowed. She’d lurked outside his empty office a dozen times over the past week, tempted to confront him over what she’d found, andnowhe stumbled upon her? “We were looking for you, actually. We… We wanted to know when we might be able to take Savita out of the aviary. To an outdoor practice track.”
Cristo cleared his throat. “Of course, but that might have to wait. I was actually looking for you, Kelyn. To ask something of you.”
Kel blinked. “What is it?”
“I’m hoping you all have considered participating in the upcoming race. I know nothing of the track details, but a few inside sources have told me it’ll be the biggest race of the season. It’s crucial that the Howlers are there.”
Kel inched forward. “I don’t know. Coup’s still injured, and I haven’t raced in almost a year.”
“It’s your decision, but it’s important that we take quick action to dispel the growing rumors around Savita’s… nature.”
Cristo’s eyes went to Coup, his crutches, then back to Kel. She felt her face redden.
Kel dug her nails into her palms. She had to protect Savita—by whatever means necessary.
“I’ll do it,” Kel muttered.
“What?” Coup cut in.
Kel ignored him.
“Perfect,” Cristo said, a calm smile pursing his lips.
Coup turned to Kel. “Don’t you think—”
“But I’ll need full access to Savita’s vitals to prepare for the race.”
Cristo’s brows rose slightly, and that was all the confirmation she needed. It was no glitch in the system—he’d intentionally cut her out.
“I am sorry for that,” Cristo said after a beat, running a hand through his dark locks. “Please trust me—it was in your best interest to restrict your access.”
