The dark interior is massive and drafty. I’m wondering how we’ll possibly train in here without any light when I spy the gaping holes in the back of the temple. Through them I can see the western gates framed by the first rays of sunrise. My eyes start to adjust to the light.

At the center of the room, there’s a pile of waiting ashes.

“Your horse,” she says.

There’s movement deeper in the temple. I watch the shadows resolve into the form of a young man. He can’t be any older than twelve, and yet he’s taller than I am, his arms roped with muscle. An Ashlord. It isn’t until he grins that I recognize what’s so familiar about him.

I’ve seen his face. The smile too.

“My cousin,” Ayala announces. “Zion will spar with you.”

I nod a greeting to him. He smirks back with that annoying Ashlord confidence. I try to remind myself that I have wiped smiles off Ashlord faces before. If I can outdance Oxanos, why not this boy? Why not the other racers? I have a fury that they’ll never understand.

“Let’s get started.” I fix my eyes on him. “Try to keep up.”

Chapter 10: Bright and Loud

I take a seat across from the crystal mannequin. Squinting, I can see other identical machines filling the endless theater with a roulette of faces. It’s like taking a step into the future.

The Reach has plenty of high-end tech, but nothing quite like this. The failed revolution set us back ten years, and for the first time it’s glaringly obvious. Furia’s advancements show no sign of slowing down, either, if the Striving keeps giving them new ideas to chase.

The woman interviewing me appears in the seated mannequin. Her skin glows golden, her hair’s spiked and dark, and her eyes flicker with flame. I straighten my shoulders as she gives me the head-to-toe. The sight of me has her smiling, delighted.

“Ten seconds,” someone calls from offstage.

Most of the competitors have completed their mandatory interviews. Pippa’s already had three of them. I’m one of the last to go because hosts kept backing out at the last minute. Maxim and Tessadora and Gavriel. Antonio calls them cowards. I call them wise.

Interviewing me is a dangerous proposition.

Everyone talks about the Longhand rider who was killed in the Races, but only a handful of folks remember the showman who interviewed him. He was murdered, too.

The Empire thought he showed too much sympathy for the Reach. That’s the mistake Cassiopia will be hoping to avoid today. Make me look good, and she’s the host who gave the Longhands a national stage. Make me look too weak, however, and she’s the host who drove down interest in the all-important Races. It’s a fine line to walk.