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‘Naam,’ the young man nodded, but Harlow could see a cloud in his eyes as he spoke.
‘I promise to be gentle with you,’ she teased.
He didn’t quite respond, and she sensed his attention was elsewhere. He looked away, and she met Kage’s eyes with concern.
‘Aran, go home,’ Kage said firmly. ‘Andnadacome back to the centre. Too many memories here,ay?Have a good night’s rest, take a break from it all, and we’ll see you on Monday.’
The kid nodded and walked off despondently.
Kage dragged a hand over his face. ‘That kid worries me,’ he grounded out.
‘Why? What’s the story?’
‘It’s heavy,kara,’ Kage said as he led her to the centre’s entrance. ‘Nopapi, amaminwho’s akokouser, and just a few days ago, two of hisfinis, his friends, were murdered. He used to practicekapowith them here, and the place probably gives him too many sad memories. So he said he came here tonight to try and remember them.’
‘Poor kid,’ Harlow murmured.
Kage nodded. ‘He reminds me of myself. ‘Cept I was angrier, more bitter than he was.’
They exited the centre, and Harlow paused on the steps, touching Kage’s arm.
‘Sounds deep. How did you get past all of that?’ she surprised herself with the intimate questions, and her hand flew over her mouth. ‘Sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have asked,’ she apologised.
‘Don’t be embarrassed. I appreciate your curiosity,’ he reassured her. ‘I dealt with it by fighting at first. Brawling in the ugliest and worst of places. Against some of the worst scum possible on this rock.’
‘Really?’
‘It was either that or losing my mind. So dark was my pain.’
She was shocked by his frankness. ‘Where did you fight?’
‘In illegal fighting dens. They’re a dozen throughout Eden II. They’re good for young men working out their frustration. You win some prize money too if you survive the contests.’
She shook her head, thunderstruck. ‘I wish I could see what you’re talking about,’ she mused.
‘Kara, I would show you, but it can be bloody.’
‘I’m no innocent Kage. I want to see,’ she insisted.
He nailed her with a long look. ‘You’re sure? This isn’t some sparkling clean gentleman’s match like they have on holo feeds. This is gory blood and guts.’
‘Show me,’ she dared him.
He silently gazed at her for a moment. ‘Fine,kara. I’ll show you.’
He reached out an arm and pulled her to the street level. He walked silently with his arm around her waist until they rounded a corner into a quieter, deserted alleyway off the main Pikani strip.
‘The club I’m taking you to is on the other side of the metro,’ he said quietly. ‘We’re going to need Void junior.’
He closed his eyes briefly, and the air on the street beside them shifted to reveal his chrome and black craft.
‘What in the actual?’ she exclaimed. ‘How is your flyer here? Didn’t we leave it in Old Town?’
‘We did,’ Kage said with a small smile. ‘It, though, did not leave us. It’s been shadowing us in stealth all the way. In case we needed to leave quickly or you got tired of walking.’
‘Incredible!’ she murmured.
‘As always, I aim to please,’ he said, helping her into the flyer.
