“Oliver,” I murmured.

I was not the jealous type. I’m pretty sure I wasn't. Yet something hideous crawled up my spine as Oliver draped an arm around Eden's shoulder.

“Now, what should I get?” he said, leaning over her head to peruse the menu.

Eden shrugged him off. “You're being rude. I'm here with Chetachi, and I am sure he doesn't like the extra company.”

“Oh, I don't think your friend is that inhospitable,” Oliver said, smiling so widely his eyes narrowed into slits. “I hope I’m not being too much of a bother, Chay. Can I call you Chay? It was kind of tiring waiting all by myself.”

I didn't have an answer for him save for an empathic fuck you. Oliver was the kind of person I avoided back in school. The kind that spoke with enough honey, just about everything they said was bait. He struck me as predatory—an image worsened by his razor-sharp grin.

“I don't think I want you here,” I started.

“Hey, man. Is something wrong?” Alewo cut in.

The tech genius appeared behind me, sunshades still in place on his face. He stood with arms crossed, chin jutting at an angle.

Gosh, I didn't know which was lamer: The fact that Alewo thought I could use an assist, or the fact that I really needed it.

“Hmm,” Oliver said. “Who are you supposed to be?”

“Right back at you,” Alewo fired.

“I don't even know who you are,” Eden said.

I groaned. “Eden, meet Alewo, a colleague. Alewo, Eden.”

Eden's eyes sparkled. “A colleague from your workplace?” She stood and grabbed Alewo's hand in both her own. “You work with Tachi? Thanks for taking care of him.”

Alewo rubbed the back of his head. The idiot had the gall to look bashful. “Hehe. Think nothing of it. He's a handful but I manage.”

“So, this is a meeting of friends and their colleagues then?” Oliver said, pulling a chair. “I presume it’s no longer rude to butt in.”

Alewo recovered from his trance. “Hey, I was watching. You just popped out of nowhere.”

“You popped out of nowhere,” Oliver countered. “I brought Eden here. And I will be taking her home.”

Alarm bells went off in my head. I glanced at Eden, unable to contain a twinge of worry.

She lowered her eyes. “Chetachi, Ollie is—”

“Her supervisor,” the tall teen finished. “She's been working at our media agency for the past week, and I say this without a hint of exaggeration: She has a great eye for . . . detail.”

The hideous feeling extended down my arms.

Oliver stopped a passing waiter and nodded at our table. “Do you guys want anything to go with that?”

“I don't,” Alewo said.

“Great. I'll just order for me then.”

“He takes you home?” I said, gaze fixed on Eden. “To your house? What about your dad?”

“He's been busy,” she conceded, rubbing her arm. “And Ollie lives nearby. I’ve known him for a few months now. He doesn't do it every day, but yeah, he gives me a lift whenever he's available. Helps save costs.”

“Oh.”

“I have a banging motorcycle,” Oliver said. “Ever ridden one, Chetachi? I could show you the ropes sometime.”

The only thing I wanted to be shown was my shoe far down his ass.

I sighed and looked at my meal. Sometime during the debacle, I’d lost my appetite.

“You alright, man?” Alewo said, leaning in conspiratorially. “You shouldn't give up just yet.”

“Shut up,” I grumbled. The foreign music strumming from the speakers didn’t help. It sounded as if the other diners were laughing at me, even though they were all focused on their meals.

Eden looked at me. Or more accurately, she looked at my hands. Her eyes did all they could to avoid mine.

“You didn't tell me any of this,” I said, even though she had no reason to.

She opened her mouth, paused, closed it again. “It wasn't necessary. I was just so excited to see you, I never got to it.”

“Well, this is getting dour,” Oliver said, rolling his eyes. He grunted almost as soon as he finished speaking. A dull thud resonated beneath the table. Eden gave him a pointed look.

My heart sank. That used to be us. Eden and I. Their actions could pass for mirror images of ours. I had no doubts that Eden considered me a dear friend, but I had been gone only three weeks and had already been replaced. What would happen six months from now? A year? Two years? I wouldn't be able to see her as often as Oliver did, and I wouldn't be the one riding a bike while she pressed up behind me, laughing in my ear.

The quesadillas tasted like papier-mâché now, but I couldn't stand wasting good food. I chucked what was left into my mouth.

“I need to get going,” I said, tapping my phone. “Looks like I have work stuff to finish.”

“Wha—? We do?” Alewo choked, amid a mouthful of wings.

“Come on,” I mumbled, kicking back my chair.

Eden’s eyes went wide. She finally met my gaze, and her expression contorted. “Hey, don’t do this, dude. Don't leave. We still have a lot to catch up on.”

“I should take my order to go,” Oliver said. “You know how your dad gets when you don't return early.”

“I'll tell him I was at the library,” Eden snapped. She turned to me. “Can't you stay a bit longer? We can go somewhere else if you'd like?”

“The clouds outside are pretty ominous,” Oliver said, crossing his arms behind his head. “Would you like to visit the library too, Chetachi? I hear you are trying for Nationals. Again.”

“Ollie, what the fuck?” Eden said.

Oliver kept his gaze on me, a victorious smile on his face. “You know, between you and me, I think universities are overrated. You don’t need a degree to succeed in life. Just lots of bluffing, courage, and skill.” His eyes flickered over my face. “I hope you are skilled at this new job of yours, Chay. I wouldn’t want to hear that you failed at it after bungling a chance at a degree”—he glanced at Eden—“and everything else.”

I gritted my teeth. The sound went off like a small earthquake in my ears. The restaurant’s interior redshifted, and ambient music strained into a wail. I wasn't a fool. I knew exactly what Oliver was doing. And I was angry that he’d succeeded. Angry at myself.

“You sure know how to carp, don't you?” Alewo said. “Explains the wide mouth.”

Oliver scowled.

I pulled my teammate to his feet.

“I'm so sorry about this,” Eden said.

“No, it's fine.” I dropped a wad of cash on the table. “We need to go anyway. Talk to you later on phone?”

Eden pushed the notes back to me. “I'm not taking your money. Not when things got messed up like this.”

I made my exit, Alewo in tow.

“Fuck,” Alewo swore, once we were out on the streets. “You shouldn't have backed down like that. You stand up to Toye all the time. That olive guy is a walkover in comparison.”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“He wasn't worth it,” I said, then affirmed again to myself: he wasn’t worth it. “Toye is an ass. A superpowered one yeah, but still an ass. Oliver’s just pitiable. One of those jerks that walk around thinking everything revolves around them. I don't want to stoop to that level.”

“That's very wise and all,” Alewo said, “but Eden’s going to think you're a total pushover going forward.”

I growled. “Get off my case.”

“No, think about it,” he said, nodding like he’d just discovered a new branch of physics. “Toye is asshole numero uno, yet Obong can't get enough of him. Oliver can run miles barefoot in Asshole marathon, and yet he has a comfortable relationship with your girl. That about proves it, man. Women like toxic dudes.”

“Eden is not my girl,” I said. “And you make no sense.”

“You guys aren't dating?”

I hesitated. “No.”

“Oh. That's not the vibe I got from you two.”

“I told you I wasn't going on a date.”

Alewo fell silent, eyes obscured by the lenses of his shades. “Mind giving me her number then?”

I fired a string of expletives, all drowned out by the honking SUV.

It was nearly six by the time we returned to base. The others were nowhere in sight, and I wasn't up to looking. I handed the snacks we'd gotten Ava to Alewo and made the journey to the dorms on my lonesome, going over the events of the evening in my head.

I hated to say it, but Alewo was right. About my backing down, at least. Eden had gone out of her way to clarify her relationship with Oliver, and yet I’d still let him get to me. A part of me was angry she hadn't done more. Put her foot down. Made it clear to the asshole that she wanted him gone.

But what if she couldn't? He was her supervisor, wasn't he? He was also her friend. Would Eden have sided with me if the choice came down to it?

I rested my head against my door. Yep. Total pushover. I had chickened out and couldn't even bring myself to reply her messages. It sucked that the one thing I loved about her—her personality—had become the thorn wedged between the both of us. Eden was warm, cheerful, patient, and understanding. With everyone. It was silly to think we had some sort of exclusive deal.

I entered my room and made straight for bed. Kabash had advised me to make the best of my leave, but none of that mattered now. My phone beeped a few times in my pocket. Probably Eden asking for the umpteenth time if I’d gotten back safe.

I reached for the device, intending to damn it all and answer, when—

“Chetachi.”

I yelped and scrambled to a sitting position. There was no one in the room with me. Which meant . . .

“AV?” I wheezed.

“Yes,” AV's crisp voice issued from the phone. “Did I scare you?”

I drew my brows together and stared at the offending device. The display depicted an active voice call. “How are you doing this? I didn't even answer your call.”

“It's a security feature I installed,” AV said. “So long as the phone is powered, I can call and answer remotely.”

There were so many things I wanted to say to that. It was rude, and AV had no freaking right.

“This violates my privacy, asshole,” I said, and anger bled into my voice. “You don't get to listen in on me, or butt in when you choose. You don't get to interfere with my life.”

AV fell silent for a heartbeat. “Your discontent is valid, Chetachi. But please understand that this feature does not exist to spy on you. It’s a resource the Council can employ in situations where you are AWOL or captured by the enemy. It was built to protect you.”

“And what the hell are you protecting me from now?” I spat, hovering a thumb over the end call button.

“I am breaking the law,” AV said matter-of-factly, “and I will accept any reparations you demand in consequence. I only went this far because you weren't replying my calls.”

“That gives you no right—”

“It doesn't. But this isn’t a social call.” His voice dampened. “I need your help, Chetachi.”

That got me to pause. Pro-now might be the leader of the Newtown Council, but AV was its lifeblood. For the programming genius to request my aid . . .

“Talk.”

“I will. But let's switch to video. This is proving a little inconvenient.”

I sat up a tad straighter. AV was an ass, but a video call with him meant I could finally solve one mystery that had puzzled the Pacesetters: the nature of his identity.

He was young, that much Catherine had hinted. He lived in a separate basement, secluded from both the adult and teenage teams. His duties included the coordination of intelligence and the management of the automated systems: Tasks which he handled from his abode.

Was he hideous? I couldn't imagine a good reason for his isolation. Or maybe he wasn't a boy? What if AV was someone else masquerading as one. A girl? An alien? Some kind of strong artificial intelligence?

My phone rang, and I picked it before I could organize my thoughts. A video feed popped up.

A hooded figure sat at a desk, fully obscured in shadow. “Good evening, Chetachi.”

I blinked. “Huh. Go figure.”

“Excuse me?”

“I was under the impression I would be seeing your face.”

“This is my face.”

“And I am the Dark Lord sitting on his dark throne. Are you here to audition as my wraith?”

AV sighed. “Chetachi, please.”

I shook my head. “Fine, let's drop it. State your request and beat it. How can I help you?”

I was acting like a jerk, but AV hadn't given me any reason to be courteous. In less than forty-eight hours, I had been concussed, laden with a terrible secret, and forced to exit in shame after my date imploded in my face. I was in no mood for shenanigans, and I wasn't sorry if my temperament showed in my tone.

AV for his part took it in stride. “I know this is strange. Especially as we are nowhere close to being friends. But I am coming to you with this because I have no one else to turn to.”

Strange was an understatement. “You mean, out of everyone in this base—people you’ve known for longer—I am the only one you can call on for help?”

“Yes.”

“Bullshit.”

“I don't have any friends, Chetachi,” AV said, and he sounded tired. “The fact that you haven't been here as long as the others means I can trust you with certain secrets. It also means you aren’t being used to spy on me.” The last part he said in a near whisper.

“Is this something illegal?” I asked.

“It depends.”

“Then, no deal. I am unavailable.”

“It is not what you think—”

“I am ending this conversation.”

“They are going to kill my cousin!”

I choked back a breath. “What?”

“They are going to kill my cousin,” AV said. He inhaled, and the tremor was evident in his voice. “The Four-oh-Four is coming for him.”

I leaned on the headboard. AV had never struck me as anything but calm. And when the guy whose monotonous drone was behind all the CAH's announcements goes hysterical, you give him a measure of attention. “What do you mean?”

AV steadied himself. “I have family. Had, if I am being pedantic. That family returned to Newtown a few weeks ago and got into a fight with the Four-oh-Four. In return, the syndicate placed a Dog's bark on his head.”

A dog’s bark. That was syndicate slang for ‘marked for death.’

“Why are you telling me this?” I asked. “Why not any of the adult Heroes? I'm sure the top brass would mobilize an entire army at the mere mention of your problems.”

AV laughed a dry retching sound. “They will mobilize an army. But not to help me. My cousin is wanted by the SRA. He’s been charged with murder.”

The blood ran cold in my veins. Murder. The word hung like a dread cloud over my head. “You want me to help a murderer?”

“He didn't commit the crime.”

“No.” I shook my head. “This is not something you ask of me or anyone. If your cousin’s life is in danger, let the authorities bring him in.”

“He is innocent.”

“That's not your place to judge.”

“Then why are you judging him?” AV broke into a coughing fit.

I held my tongue, letting him catch his breath.

“My cousin isn't a murderer,” AV said. “And I am not saying this because we are related. I am saying this because I was there. He didn't kill those people.”

“Then stand witness in court.”

“Court,” AV said, laughing without mirth. “Yeah, let's do that. How many Supers do you think get tried fairly in them?”

Too few. But I wasn't about to agree. “I can't do this, AV. I'm not sure you understand what you are asking of me.”

“I haven't even asked,” AV said, tone heavy with accusation. “Do you even know why the Four-oh-Four put a target on his head?”

I kept my expression grim.

“He fought them, Chetachi,” AV said. “Sagidi? It's a mess out there. The Four-oh-Four tried to move in on the turf and eject the displaced. My cousin—Lekan—defended those people. He fought the dog bastards off. Now, they are circling in on him, and no one can help him, all because the system's failed.”

I ran a hand through my hair. “That sounds like a big deal. But you're smarter than this. I know you are. If the Four-oh-Four is up to no good, sound the alarm for the Council to advance. If your cousin is truly innocent, let the adults take him into custody. I'm sure Pro-now will hear your case.”

Silence followed. A silence so heavy I thought AV had terminated the call. Then he said in a whisper, “How do you think I ended up here?”

“Huh?”

“Two teenage boys were left to rot in a jail cell. They had nothing to eat for months, save for stale bread and chaff.” His fingers gripped the edges of his desk. “I took a job in this chair because Pro-now promised to save me from that hell. There will be no further assistance from him.”

“I still don't—”

“I am not asking you to do anything that could get you in trouble, Chetachi. I just need someone to reach out to Lekan on my behalf. Warn him. Help him get to safety. I will prepare an exit out of Newtown in advance.”

“I can't fight the Four-oh-Four.”

“If everything goes well, you won't have to. I have eyes in their ranks. All you need to do is reach my cousin. He needs to be extracted before our people or the SRA get wind of the situation and close in on him.”

He made it sound simple, but if it were that easy, he would have done it himself.

“Why me?” I said at last. “Why not Alewo? Or Toye? Or even Kabash? Why approach me with something this sensitive?”

“Because you are like me,” AV said, gasping a strained breath. “Of all our teammates, you appreciate the importance of fairness the most. Alewo is also a good choice, but he can’t operate discreetly. Not like you can.”

I shifted the phone to my other palm and rolled my shoulder. “Let’s say I agree to this. Meeting up with your cousin is one. But chancing a fight with the Four-oh-Four? I don't have a death wish. Why can't you contact your cousin remotely?”

“He went off the radar a year ago. I only know he is in Newtown because one of my informants in the Four-oh-Four was present when he attacked the group.”

I was swayed, I’d admit. But it was too risky. I had family to think about. I couldn't afford to be bothered by the problems of others. The hooded figure on the screen awaited my response. What was the best way to turn him down? “Look, man, I don't—”

“Two months,” AV said.

“What?”

“Two months,” he repeated. “I don't expect you to do this pro-bono. So, I will be paying for the assist. Your entire two-month salary. Paid upfront. Three, if you are forced into combat.”

My brain went into lockdown.

With that much money, I could move my family out of the Old Layout faster, or at the very least, provide them a softer landing for whenever we were ready. I had already sent a majority of my starting bonus to mom, but I was quickly realizing that my current pay meant little in the face of increased responsibilities. Tempting me with a monetary reward of that size was foul play.

“Damn you,” I said. “Fill me in on the plan. And share every last detail you have. I need to make sure this isn't suicide.”

“Right away,” AV said. “And thank you, Chetachi. I will repay this debt.”

He better. The sizeable reward didn’t blind me to the consequences that could follow. This was a heavy favor.

I hoped I wouldn't regret it.