Page 33 of Shades of Silver City

“Scored her own ticket this year,” Godric says, eyes narrowed. “Got a date.”

My brows fly up. “A real one?”

She giggles. “A real one.”

“With someone in the Ministry of Public Safety,” Godric says flatly. His lips purse with disdain.

I cough, nearly choking on my spit. “That’s—unexpected.”

“Unexpectedly traitorous,” he says.

“A Scout?” I ask, trying to keep the disbelief from my voice.

“No. He does paperwork in the Ministry Assembly Center.”

“Still,” Godric says. “You’re dating the enemy, traitor.”

An awkward tension fills the air. I wait for one of them to start laughing, but they hold each other’s stares, wearing equally serious expressions.

Finally, Pixel shrugs, turning her attention back to the computer. “If you’re jealous, just say so.”

Godric scoffs. “I’m not jealous,” he mutters.

I fight to tamp my own smirk down this time as I realize my best friend is indeed envious. Turning to Pixel, I pat her shoulder softly.

“If you’re happy, I’m happy for you,” I tell her honestly. “If he breaks your heart, you tell us.”

“Yeah, Pixie,” Godric says. “We’ll fuck him up.”

“Okay, Godric.” She rolls her eyes at him before returning her attention to her computer. But not before I catch a hint of a blush on her cheeks.

“It’s best if we attend separately,” I say, striding toward the door with Godric. “The less attention on us, the better.”

“So, find a date,” he says, slapping my back playfully.

I pause at the doorway. “Text me if any updates come in. I’m leaving.”

He grunts in response.

“Uh…guys?” Pixel’s voice is quiet now, lacking the playful luster it held a moment ago. “Speaking of your cute bartender friend… Come here?”

I’m back at her side in four long strides, peering down at her multiple computer screens. She points to the largest one in the middle, and immediately I notice what she’s referring to.

Another photo of Tasia. This time, she’s holding a bat that has nails on it, a crazy look in her eyes.

Rubbing my forehead, I sigh. Could be worse. “How long until you can wipe this one?”

She gestures to another monitor, where fast-scrolling green code fills the black screen. “Any second now.” She types rapidly, inserting a series of numbers and symbols. I might own Ataraxy, but I know very little about technology. This is why I have people like Pixel in my circle. “My concern is that they’ve boosted her photo twice now.”

I glance at Godric, trying to process what it could mean. “Someone’s taken an interest in her. Not a good one.”

“They want her gone, huh?” he mutters. “Fuck. She knows something. I know it.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions,” I say. The photo of Tasia morphs before our eyes, her features changing into those of someone unfamiliar.

“You said she was freaked out by the Scouts? Now this?” Godric gestures toward the screen, then stands up straight, cracking his knuckles. “Fishy shit.”

I agree; it is odd. Of all the criminals to pursue in the city, someone’s fixated on finding Tasia. They’ve plastered an image of her on the UIS twice now, without any real evidence or justification. She might not want to work for me, but would she want my protection? She might find that worth bargaining for.

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