A car crash seems fitting. It’s a cruel fate that’s just enough to twin Scarlett’s accident except actually be fatal this time. I might fall down one of those steaming manholes and bleed out in the sewer. Or I can escape from a fire only to fall off the fire escape. I’d hate that irony. There are endless possibilities for freaky accidents. But so far the biggest threat has been a gunman with a skull mask. He didn’t stick around to finish the job, which has me thinking he wasn’t really after me. But what if someone does target me? Who could I have pissed off so badly? I was nice to the airport employee who helped me find my suitcases at the carousel. I tipped my taxi driver. My landlord doesn’t seem to be a fan, but killing me isn’t going to get him his rent money. The only other people I personally know in this city are . . .

The only other people I know in this city are in the back seat of this taxi with me.

That’s a ridiculous thought. Orion and Dalma are sweet, welcoming New Yorkers who have been through so much. They wouldn’t cast that loss on anyone else. Besides, it’s hard to imagine Orion being in a position to kill anyone. He’s the most vulnerable person in this car. Then again, it doesn’t have to be murder. What if being near Orion, someone so close to death’s edge, brings trouble my way? This very trip to bring him to the hospital could be what kills me, a car could smash into my door right now and—

I have to stop.

This isn’t helping.

Orion and Dalma are no danger to me. If someone wants to kill me, it’s probably some other model who wants my campaign gig.

No.

I’m done entertaining thoughts on who wants to murder me.

Last time I checked, I’m not a fortune-teller who can lay out some cards and discover my fate. I’ve been told everything there is to know: I’m going to die tonight, or later today if I’m lucky. Even if none of this feels lucky at all.

We arrive at Lenox Hill Hospital, and I carry Orion down the halls as Dalma leads me to the emergency room. Everything is moving so quickly as the nurses come around the counter and examine Orion as Dalma fills them in on his condition. I place Orion on a roll-away bed, telling him he’s going to be okay.

The nurse wheels Orion behind a curtain. “Family only,” she says as Dalma follows.

“I am family,” Dalma says.

The nurse seems doubtful. “By blood?”

“By law.”

The nurse nods, pulling the curtain closed around them.

“Did Death-Cast call Orion?” I hear the nurse ask.

“No. Let’s not give them any reason to,” Dalma says.