Daiyu let out a low laugh, even if it sounded shaky.

Less than a minute later, Lingyi messaged me in helmet: Got your request. Nice of you to get in touch. Done. But did you have to win first place twice?

I cleared my throat to hide my smile. Sarcasm noted.

We reached my airped where we had left it less than half an hour before. I climbed on and Daiyu swung on behind me, as if she’d been climbing onto sleek motorcycles her entire life. The airped roared to life, and I revved the engine as we sped down the street like we were being chased by demons before it lifted into the air.

My heart surged with it.

It got me every time.

Daiyu’s arms were wound snugly around my waist, then she leaned closer. Her breasts pressed against my back, and one hand glided up to rest over my heart. Right above my tattoo.

“I was impressed, just so you know,” she said in that rich voice. And it sounded like she was whispering directly into my ear. I felt the hairs at the back of my neck lift. “You have perfect aim.”

I laughed.

Prideful.

Foolishly pleased like the Monkey King.

I took a sharp turn, and she gasped as she leaned with me, fingernails digging into my chest. A sense of protectiveness washed over me. Just as it had when I turned to face the thugs. I needed to keep Daiyu safe. Wanted to keep her safe. I didn’t miss the irony, as we left the Datong District far below us, that the person she needed most protection from, the one who could inflict the most damage in the end, would be me.

CHΔPTER TEN

I woke but didn’t know where I was. My whole body ached, as if someone had run a moped over me, then backed up and done it again. My head hurt the worst, throbbing with each heartbeat. Gods. What was that beeping noise? I forced my eyes open. I was lying in bed. Yes, my king-size bed. In my expensive apartment. And my Vox was flashing urgently on the nightstand beside me. I reached for it, and even that took effort. I fumbled with its screen, trying to answer the call.

Finally, I saw Lingyi’s face on the tiny screen, looking frantic.

“Zhou!”

I opened my mouth to reply, but no sound came out. My throat felt swollen and sore.

“Ai!” she exclaimed. “You’re sick.”

I blinked at her, then suddenly realized how hot I was. And how parched.

“I’ve been trying to get ahold of you all day. Zhou, listen.”

My eyes had drifted closed again, and I willed them open, staring at the blurred image of Lingyi’s small face. I knew there was nothing wrong with the Vox—it was my vision.