The door of the meeting room opened, and Flávia Gameiro stood in the doorway.
Asta wiped furiously at her tears and tried to calm her breath. Gem put his arm around her.
‘Come on in,’ Flávia said, looking warily at their faces.
Gem, Asta, and Nat sat in the front row of chairs. Hummer took the seat behind Nat. Felix loitered in the back of the room, but did not sit.
Flávia’s gaze lingered on Felix, but then she sighed and turned her eyes to Nat and Asta.
‘No one on this panel is in any doubt about the credibility of these accusations.’
Asta looked at Dr. Isley. He was glowering, but his eyes were on his notes.
Hummer was half out of his chair. ‘But you got no proof! You can’t kick her out if you got no proof!’
‘Let her finish, Hummer,’ Tess growled. ‘Damn, you’re a pesky bunch.’
Flávia continued. ‘Thank you. While it is entirely possible– even probable– that Ms. Ekenberg and Ms. Bruce violated the code of conduct for Silverscale racers by engaging in illegal street racing during the tournament, we currently, as Mr. Bruce has pointed out, have no evidence that the violation took place.’
‘That’s right,’ Hummer grunted.
Flávia ignored him. ‘For that reason, there will be no official action taken against the racers at this time.’ Nat squealed happily, and Asta gasped with relief. ‘However, the two of you are on a very short leash. As racers, you represent not only yourselves but the Silverscale legacy. As women in this sport, you carry an additional responsibility to be exemplars to the next generation, and I fear you have forgotten that. Your disregard for the reputation of this organization and this tournament will not be tolerated. For the remaining two days of this tournament, you will adhere to every rule with the strictest attention or face immediate disqualification. You will be on your best behavior both on and off the track. I had better not hear that you so much as littered in the parking lot. Do you understand me?’
‘I understand,’ Asta said.
Nat shrugged.
‘Felix,’ Flávia said, returning her gaze to him. ‘A word of advice. You have more to lose than anyone here. From this point forward, I suggest that you let your colleagues fight their own battles. Yes?’
‘Yes, ma’am,’ Felix said.
‘There is nothing further to discuss. Good luck in your races tomorrow. And remember,’ she said to Nat and Asta, ‘you will be under scrutiny, ladies. Behave accordingly.’
‘You got it, Gameiro,’ Nat said, grinning.
Flávia shook her head and began to gather her notes.
Nat grabbed Asta’s face in both her hands and planted a kiss on her mouth. ‘My lucky charm,’ she said quietly. ‘See you out there, kid.’
Asta wiped the kiss from her lips with her thumb. She caught Hummer’s eye over Nat’s shoulder. He stared at her with a chilling focus. At least she wasn’t in Nat’s heat tomorrow, she told herself by way of comfort. Whatever it was that he wanted from her, it would have to wait at least one more day.
Asta looked around for Felix. He was gone.
The other officials stood from the table and made for the door, but Tess Curie pointed at Asta and crooked her finger to call her over. Asta’s anxiety, so recently relieved, surged back, stabbing at her stomach. What must Tess Curie think of her? Disrespectful. Careless. Not worthy of racing in the same track where she had won her title.
‘I’ll wait for you outside,’ Gem said as Asta stood to obey her summons.
The room was emptying quickly, and soon it was just Tess and Asta there together. Asta didn’t know what to say. Between the turmoil of the past few hours and the fact that she was now standing in front of her hero, Asta felt like her brain was going numb. Unfortunately, her numbness did not extend to her injuries, and she swayed against the pain.
‘You lied to us, girlie.’ Tess wagged her finger at Asta. ‘All that crap about “why would you risk it”. You did, didn’t you? You risked it all.’
Asta didn’t say anything. Her throat was suddenly as dry as dragon scales.
‘I know your type. “Dare you,” they say, and whoosh’ – she made her hand a dragon and sailed it through the air – ‘off you go.’
Tess leaned her forearms on the table and looked up at Asta through narrowed eyes. The noise from the track was intensifying. There were cheers audible now. The drakes must be coming out on to the track to warm up for the second semifinal race of the day.
‘I like you,’ Tess said.
