I hadn’t even realized how much it had been worrying me that we hadn’t been able to find him before—that maybe it really was going to be us against Moncha Corp. But a representative from another huge corporation, a proper adult in a position of power, someone the authorities would listen to? Surely it will be impossible for Eric to push the update now.

I look back at Eric, whose face is bright red. “Get that baku!” he cries out to his security team.

Now, Jinx—run!

We both bolt at the same time. I sprint to Zora and Mr. Baird as fast as my feet can carry me. Jinx speeds away toward the trees, the security panthers chasing after him. But he’s faster than them; I know he is. And he can’t be tracked now that he’s disconnected from the cloud. Lose them, Jinx. You have to lose them.

He doesn’t waste any energy on a reply, and I take that as a good sign.

Zora grips my arm reflexively, her fingers digging into the flesh of my bicep. But rather than chase after Jinx and me, Eric simply laughs. The sound sends a shiver down my spine.

“Derek Baird, is it? Of BRIGHTSPRK?” Eric Smith looks down at his red panda, whispering some sort of command. “Yes, I remember. The corporate spy who worked with us for so long. What a shame BRIGHTSPRK might not have long left for this world. You’ve seen the writing on the wall, haven’t you, Derek?”

I look up at Mr. Baird, whose face is looking a peculiar shade of gray. But maybe that’s from seeing inside the dome. At least, I really hope it is.

Or maybe he looks so strange because Mr. Baird doesn’t have his owl baku any more.

Eric’s red panda baku turns his head toward his master, whispering something. “I need to be getting back for the convention,” Eric says, spinning on his heels.

“There’s not going to be a convention now that BRIGHTSPRK knows about this. We’ll tell everyone before you can get onstage. Once people know what you have planned.” My words spill out of my mouth thick and fast, unleashed with the confidence of having my best friend and Mr. Baird beside me.

Mr. Baird puts his hand on my shoulder—steadying me, but also stopping me. I flick my eyes up in his direction, and his mouth is set in a firm line. He gives me a gentle shake of the head. “Let’s get out of here,” he says. “I’ve got a car outside.”

“All you’re doing is delaying the inevitable, Lacey,” Eric says again. “I will push the update today. And then I will find and destroy that baku of yours.”

“Never,” I reply, defiantly.

“Come on, Lacey,” says Zora.