Page 43 of Of Flame and Fury

“We should have waited for Rahn to show us the way,” Dira mumbled, kicking a stone.

The other Howlers laughed. Kel put a consoling hand on Dira’s arm.

“Rahn was busy, right? We couldn’t wait.” Though Bekn’s voice was even, practical, his lips twitched up.

Dira kicked another stone. “Yeah. She was taking a friend to an appointment. Or something.”

Kel couldn’t hold back a fit of giggles. Dira’s pout turned to a scowl.

“Do I have some new competition for your favorite teammate?” Kel teased, putting an arm around Dira’s waist.

Dira merely stuck out her foot, trying—and failing—to trip Kel. She slipped from Kel’s grip and skipped ahead, but Kel didn’t miss the dark flush across her friend’s cheeks.

They strolled another two blocks toward Cristo’s fortress before Dira, still ahead, jolted to a stop. “Ashes!Look.”

Dira pointed ahead toward Cristo’s entry gates. Bekn, Coup and Kel had been too busy taking in the sights to notice the three white vans obscuring the metal entrance, each crowded by cameras.

Kel grimaced. “They’re not waiting for us, are they?”

Bekn scrunched his nose. “You and Coup are still on the news cycle. Word would’ve reached them about our recruitment.” He let out a long breath, then straightened his jacket. “But this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of their attention. Cristo and I have already started to strategize ways to keep this public interest up.”

Dira, Coup and Kel exchanged wary frowns.

Bekn pulled two strips of paper from his trouser pocket. He quickly handed one ticket to Kel and the other to Coup, who seemed equally skeptical of Bekn’s sudden cheer.

Kel grimaced as she scanned the red paper—a ticket—with golden writing:1 PASS TO CENDOR’S ONLY SALTAN SANCTUARY.

Kel had just opened her mouth to object when Bekn raised a hand. “Oh, I know, exploring a conservation center will be such a hardship. Cooing over animals and having a generally pleasant time sounds like utter torture. But you’ll manage, because I’ve organized for you and Coup to attend the park and show your support for Cristo’s own exhibition there.”

“When did you even have time? We’ve been here aday,” Coup huffed.

“I multitask.” Bekn shrugged. “All you two have to do is explore the sights and wave at any cameras that coincidentally happen to be there.”

Coup and Kel cursed in unison.

“No way,” Coup barked. “We should be training, instead.”

Kel nodded. “We need to prepare Savita for our first race.”

Her gaze flickered to Coup, frustration clenching her fists. Thelastthing she needed was to spend an entire day alone with Warren Coupers.

“We can ensure race coverage, but we need a…well-roundedapproach to maintaining media momentum,” Bekn said. “This will help.”

“Why would the media care if they visit some conservation center?” Dira chimed in.

Bekn’s lips twisted to the side. “Maybe someone extremely handsome and woefully underappreciated has leaked Kel and Coup’s planned visit, and maybe there’s a rumor that they’re venturing out for their first official date.”

“Not happening,” Kel snapped. “In what universe would I—”

“Leaning into the romance rumors will boost public ratings and encourage media attention in anticipation of our first race,” Bekn cut in. “The more media attention we get, the happier Cristo is. All you have to do is walk around and lean into what they’re starting to assume.”

“It’s a waste of time!” Kel exclaimed.

“Varra and I already have to train together,” Coup sneered. “Now you want me glued to her side all day?”

Something about Coup’s words tightened Kel’s throat, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it.

“The more effort we put into garnering media attentionoffthe track, the fewer stunts we’ll have to pullonthe track to draw their focus,” Bekn replied.

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