Chapter 7a
Ariel jittered with a smile. The possibility of Demetrius having a Vex was both frightening and exhilarating. What did that even mean? Was he half-human, half-machine? When had he gotten it? Where did he get it? She had to be certain, of course, but how? This was a long shot; but if it were true, Ariel would have some closure about that miserable game.
Her classes had ended, and she boarded public transportation to the Virtus Guard headquarters where Cassandra would be waiting. She clocked in, greeted her fellow students, exchanged her clothes for the Virtus Guard uniform, and rushed—even though her thigh still stung a little—to catch Cassandra in the garage housing the Virtus Guard cruisers.
“You actually showed up,” said Cassandra, leaning on the car. “We’ve got to settle a dispute. I hope you can work through your injury?”
“I can,” Ariel said, stepping into the vehicle. “Is it bad?” She stared forward past the dashboard.
“I don’t think so,” Cassandra replied, fixing her phone onto the dash. “Just perplexing and a little mysterious. Neighbors have been complaining about some strange noise.” Ariel nodded, latched her seatbelt, and Cassandra placed her hand on the wheel.
Ariel loved the whine the cruiser made whenever Cassandra hit the ignition. That initial high-pitched toll rang for a few seconds before fading. The lights illuminated the shadows in the dim garage, and the doors of the car closed shut.
Cassandra guided the cruiser out into the street.
“I have to tell you something,” said Ariel, adjusting Cassandra’s tranquilizing sidearm. “I think Demetrius might have a Vex in his body. Injected, swallowed, inhaled—I don’t know. But that’s the only logical explanation for how good he’s become.”
Ahead of them, the world unraveled at the car’s incredible speed. Cassandra wasn’t driving that fast on her own. No, she had the autopilot assisting her, maintaining a safe speed. Ariel waited for her to respond, but she didn’t. Silence filled the car, except for the whir of the spherical wheels beneath them and the wind swishing along the body of the vehicle.
“Professor Cooper talked about the Vex,” Ariel continued, “its untamed, unrestricted nature. That parameters and Vex d—”
“Just stop right there,” Cassandra interrupted, raising her palm. She returned her hands to the wheel to switch lanes. “Have you completely lost it?”
Ariel, wishing she hadn’t said anything, replied, “I know it sounds ludicrous.”
“It is ludicrous,” Cassandra said, keeping the vehicle steady with one hand.
“But it’s the only logical explanation.”
“Ariel, listen to me,” said Cassandra. “Demetrius was good. Too good. But you’re better. Don’t let this one game shake you up.”
Ariel had been priming Cassandra’s sidearm and stopped when the green glow appeared. With nothing else to do, she sighed, glancing up as their route darkened between the towering skyscrapers.
“Aer,” said Cassandra, “we’re working on it. You know… PR. Let Marissa and I do our jobs. You focus on healing that arm and leg. We want to get you back in as soon as possible.”
“I know but…”
“You’re doing more damage to yourself by overthinking this. Marissa and I will handle it.” Cassandra guided the cruiser down a tunnel. “If the press gets wind of this Vex conspiracy theory of yours, the Blademasters may never take you seriously.”
Ariel nodded, more out of fear than agreement. The Blademasters were the only ones who could make her a Blademaster. If she ruined her image in their eyes, they’d never even consider her.
“Three more days, Aer. Just three more days, and Angel will check on you and give you the green light.”