Page 172 of Volik

His tongue drags slowly across my lip, licking up the tiny spot of blood.

I open my mouth.

And my phone rings.

It rings a third time before I remember what call we’re waiting for.

Volik remembers at the same time, or senses my shift to push at his chest, because he pulls his mouth away from mine.

Panting, I scoot to the front edge of the chair and grab my phone off the desk.

I feel my heart try to race with nerves, but Volik keeps it steady.

Blowing out a breath, I answer the call. “Hello?”

“Is this Nix Novak?” I recognize the voice immediately.

“It is. Thank you so much for calling, Miss Branock.”

She snorts. “Call me May. Please.”

“Will do. And, um, just Nix for me.”

My gaze darts to Volik, and I widen my eyes at him when I see he’s holding back a smile.

I don’t know why I called her Miss. I’m pretty sure we’re about the same age.

Like a professional, she ignores my weirdness. “So, I obviously got your message. And if you are who you say you are, then yes, I would love to speak with you.”

More of my tension drains. “Glad to hear that.”

I know journalism. I understand the process of an interview. I was the one who reached out to her. So I need to chill.

“Easiest way for me to confirm your identity is for me to video call you.”

I nod. “That works.” I think about my classes yesterday. “Um, have you, uh, looked me up since yesterday?”

“I have.” May ends the call. And a second later, my phone starts ringing with a video call.

It’s smart. She just confirmed that she has seen my changes. And she’s not giving me any time to put in contacts or fake teeth.

I accept the call, my camera already centered on my face.

“Hello.” I wave self-consciously, the camera shaking a bit in my other hand. Then I show her my teeth in an awkward smile.

May leans closer to her screen, eyes wide.

And while she takes a moment to freak out over talking to me, Volik’s mate, I take a moment to silently freak out over her, my favorite journalist.

May posts a lot of videos of herself on social media, reporting on stories, so I know it’s her.

“Sorry, but holy. Fucking. Shit.” May shakes her head.

I laugh. “I know, right?”

“No. You don’t know, this is… Sorry, actually, I read your background. You do know. This is huge. And I’m going to do my normal digging and reporting, you know that. But I just… I really appreciate you choosing me for this. And, if I may say so myself, good choice.”

“I understand and agree.” I don’t slice my lip when I grin this time. My earlier cut already healed. “And as you can probably guess, we’re in a bit of a hurry to get a statement to the public. So if this is something we could do… right away, that would be great.”