The Ashlords put down the Rebellion on the backs of their gods. They’ve always been competent fighters and expert military strategists. But they called for fire to rain down from the skies and buried whole cities in ash. That’s what really won the war. And it took sacrifices, the blood of thousands. In the arena, the riders won’t have gods at their beck and call. It takes effort to push my memory of the Dread’s visit aside.

No gods now. It’s just me against them.

Looking around, there’s only one real bruiser in the bunch: Bravos. I’ve seen some of his gladiator vids. He’s strong and quick and brutal, but I still like my odds if it’s a straight-up fight. The problem is it won’t be. The back-end riders are always teaming up. The Races have a strange history when it comes to teamwork. Duos are well loved. Some of the most famous winners worked their way through the first legs together, then split at the end and raced each other for glory. Two is acceptable. Three’s a crowd. Four is a desperation worthy of shame.

But after my interview with Cassiopia, I know I have a target on my back. Most Ashlords won’t risk being embarrassed in a fight, either. They’ll come, and when they do, they’ll have friends with them. It’s just a matter of figuring out which crew hates me enough to make the first move. As the Longest Ride begins, I drink in all the details.

There are four racers who never look my way.

Pippa shut her eyes the second she sat down and hasn’t opened them since. She’s going to that place that only champions can go. Pushing everything else out except for the idea of winning. She takes one breath after the next. Her hair is drawn into a perfect racing braid. I memorize the details because I have a feeling that’s the face I’ll be looking at coming down the homestretch.

An Ashlord four seats to my right ignores me as well. I recognize him from the amateur circuit: Revel. He’s a burner if there ever was one. Even the purest phoenixes can’t sprint the whole race. Revel pushes up against those limits more than the rest. Fast and reckless, but he looks incapable of true violence. Even if he chases out to a lead, he’ll be lucky to keep it.

The Dividian sits on Revel’s right. She’s a quiet girl with a wide-set face and a determined look. She was all smiles in her interview, but she’s not smiling now. I can see a patient anger burning to life. I’m not worried about anyone teaming up with her, though. No self-respecting Ashlord would ever let a Dividian share their fire.