Page 171 of GlitchBorn Heart

Shit. He suspects something. Ash subtly shifts closer to Ember’s side, one hand sliding around her waist nervously.

Ember interjects, her voice smooth and steady. “Every line of code, every render, every neuron map is Dr. Ryudon’s, Father. As always. I can vouch for him. He’s spent many nights with the prototype.” She grins at Ash. The wine is definitely going to Ember’s head quickly.

Vikktor’s eyes narrow. “Of course. Still, I’ve noticed some anomalies in the data stream. Curious signatures. Almost...magical.” He hovers the way a monster does before he devours.

Lyra’s breath catches, her eyes darting to me.

“Residual data interference, sir,” I reply without hesitation. “The VoidChanneler caused some ripples we’re still tracing throughout the system. But Ember has it under control.”

“Hmm.” Vikktor tilts his head, studying his daughter. His eyes bore into her, looking for a flaw. He looks Ash up and down with severe disapproval. “Perhaps...or perhaps you’ve been playing god in my system again, Kael. What say you?”

I say nothing at first but still meet his gaze. “You mean the system I built for you. Someone has to or you wouldn’t be revealing your Cyberforce here tonight, now would you, sir?”

For a heartbeat, not one of us breathes. The candles on the terrace waver as a robot whirs by cleaning up drinks. Vikktor’s half-smile returns. “Be careful what gods you challenge, Dr. Ryudon. Creation has a way of consuming its creator.”

He turns, motioning to the stage where the heavy curtain trembles in the rising wind from the open skylights. “Drink up, Doctor. In an hour we shall show them what evolution truly looks like.”

Lyra’s hand finds mine, her pulse a drum. Both our magics respond, entwining and flaring as we watch Vikktor stroll away. I feel my veins warming.

Ash mutters just loud enough for all of us to hear, “I’m gonna need massive bouts of therapy after that.”

Ember doesn’t smile. “You can join my sessions.” She tosses back an entire cocktail.

“Ummm, do we have a problem?” Ash motions to the bar, where I see the one and only rebel leader, looking too comfortable while subjecting himself to this viper’s den.

I kick back the glass of whiskey in one shot. “Give me a second. I’m not drunk enough to deal with this yet.”

Jett’s leaning against the bar, his black suit immaculate, impossible to miss. He tips his flute of champagne back, revealing a gray vest tailored close to the line of his ribs. His tie is knotted tightly, his hair unkempt, just enough to suggest rebellion.

To the crowd, he’s just another elite investor, but to me, he looks like he belongs here and like he’s planning something. I can’t let that happen.

“He isn’t alone.” Lyra gives me a surprised look, motioning toward him with a nod.

His date stands beside him, hand curled lightly around a glass of champagne, laughing at something he said. Her hair is long and dark, coiled over one shoulder. A black dress hugs her curves down to her knees, accented in gold thread. A red velvet train dangles behind her, as if to announce her arrival. There’s something familiar about the way she moves, powerful, disciplined. Her eyes, though. They don’t belong to this world. They shine with the same storm I’ve seen behind my own, dark but with molten lava highlights. Two dragon tattoos join from each shoulder in ink, black with crimson red orchids.

Jett’s gaze flicks up and locks on me for a moment. I swear the corner of his mouth curves upward, not in a smile, but daring me to approach them. A silent “I’m better than you, Kael.”

Ash looks confused at the message. “He’s either really stupid for showing up here or really freaking brilliant.”

I shake my head. “He’s good at playing both sides. But he better not be up to something, not tonight, not before the extraction. If he outs us, I will kill him with my bare hands.”

Ember materializes, carrying two more drinks and wearing a grin that tells me she has already had too much. “You two see Jett at the bar? He’s with a girl!” She hiccups and covers her mouth with her palm. Lyra steadies her wobbly friend.

“Looks like trouble wrapped in an expensive suit.” Ash tips back the glass. “We better motor.” He tips his head toward the exit.

“The world still revolves if you don’t talk.” Ember takes Ash’s face in her hand. “You do realize that, right?” The banter between them continues to ratchet up.

But this time, Ash doesn’t answer. His eyes have shifted, not to Jett, but to the woman with him. We both can’t stop looking at her, something familiar still pressing on my chest, a buried half-memory tries to break through unsuccessfully.

Ash leans in slightly toward me, his eyes telling me he’s going through the catalog in his brain as well. “She looks...oddly familiar.”

“Who is she?” I ask.

He doesn’t reply, just shakes his head.

Jett raises his glass from across the room, a subtle salute. His companion mirrors him, her lips parting in a knowing smile. For a heartbeat, my control slips, and my eyes flare. I dismiss it and look away nervously.

Ash huffs low under his breath. “Well, that’s new. Kael Ryudon actually rattled. Mark this date on your calendars, kids.”