Apex Five: Mech Elite novel · Chapter 13 of 24

Chapter 13: The Gala

Wynne's POV

"Forty-eight hours," I said. "You'll get nothing in forty-eight hours."

Alder Pryce smiled.

"The Cup Eve gala is tonight at Harbor Hall," he said. "The whole League board will be there."

"So?"

"So bring the key in person and sign it over in front of them. Then the reset goes into Ronan's arm before midnight."

He tucked the tablet under his arm and walked back the way he had come.

At the door he turned.

"Wear something nice, Miss Calder."

Then he was gone, and the Pryce guards peeled off the wall and followed him out.

Hob woke up with a snort and pushed his cap back.

"What did I miss?"

"Alder," I said. "He wants a party."

"I hate parties."

"I know."

Ronan had not moved.

He stood in the corridor with his hand flat on the wall, and his skin was the color of the ceiling.

"Don't go," he said.

"You have two days."

"I have two days either way. If he gets your key, he owns every frame in this League, and he'll own you."

"He won't."

"Wynne."

"He wants me in a room with the board." I took his jacket sleeve and held on. "Fine. Then I want the board in the room."

He looked at me for a long moment.

Then he sighed through his nose.

"I'm coming."

"You can barely stand."

"I can stand next to you."

Hob was already digging in his overalls.

"I'm bringing the torch," he said.

"You are not bringing the torch."

"Then I'm bringing the other torch."

Harbor Hall sat on the water with every window lit.

I walked up the steps in my black flight suit, with the blade core strapped behind my head and my burned hand bare.

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