"Would you really come between two strikers?" Kevin asked.

"Is it possible?" Kathy asked. "It's no secret there was hostility between you and the Foxes' strikers last year. Last night made it obvious there are still problems to work through with Seth. That doesn't seem to be the case with you two."

Neil slid Kevin a sideways look, but Kevin didn't bother correcting her. "Seth graduates in May, so there is less a chance or need to rehabilitate his style to mine. Neil, on the other hand, is just starting out. We have all the time in the world."

Kathy pounced on that wording immediately. "That implies you see this as a permanent gig. Do you really have no plans to return to Edgar Allan? Does it depend on how well you adjust to playing right-handed this season, or do you intend to graduate from Palmetto State regardless?"

Kevin's pause rang too loudly in Neil's ears. "I would like to stay as long as Coach Wymack will have me."

Neil flicked Kevin another look, not liking that vague response.

"Ahh, the Ravens must be sad to hear that," Kathy said. "I imagine Riko misses you."

"We will see each other again this fall."

"Indeed you will. They're in your district now," Kathy said. "Why the major change?"

"I don't presume to understand Coach Moriyama's motivations."

"You mean they didn't tell you?" Kathy's surprise looked genuine.

"We are all very busy. It is difficult to keep in touch."

"Well then." Kathy recovered with a bright smile. "Have I got a treat for you!"

Music blared from the speakers, a dark melody with heavy drums. The crowd jumped to its feet and started chanting in unison: "King! King! King!" Neil looked out at them, recognizing the music but unable to place it, refusing to believe what the crowd was saying. He spotted the Foxes easily, as they were the only unmoving bodies in the crowd. They sat blank-faced with shock. Neil looked back at Kevin's pale face.

Movement in Neil's peripheral vision brought his attention back to the wings of the stage. The man who stepped onto the stage wore the same outfit Kevin did, save his version was black from head to toe. When he reached for Kathy's hand, his sleeve billowed around his arm like the wings of his school's raven mascot. The number one tattooed on his left cheekbone told everyone in the audience who'd just walked onto Kathy's stage.

It had been nine months since Riko Moriyama and Kevin Day stood in the same room together, nine months since Riko destroyed Kevin's hand, and now they were reunited on live television. The audience cheered their hearts out, delighted by Kathy's surprise, but they weren't quite loud enough to drown out Kevin's soft voice at Neil's side.

The words sounded like a desperate prayer.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER THIRTEEN