CHAPTER 4The Vespa Ride Home
Luna sat on the Vespa in the cold courtyard, not starting it. Just sitting.
Her phone buzzed. A text from Jett:
JETT: So? Are you disowned? Do you need me to fake your death? I know a guy who makes great fake passports! His name is Steve but he's cool Steve not like Carter Steve!
She typed. Deleted. Typed again.
LUNA: I have to work for Leo Wǎngshā starting tomorrow.
Three dots appeared immediately.
JETT: THE Leo Wǎngshā? Mr. "I-Deleted-My-Own-Shadow" Wǎngshā?
JETT: Okay new plan: I seduce him. Distract him with my charm. And by "charm" I mean I'll show up wearing light-up shoes and ask if he wants to see my Pokémon card collection.
Luna smiled through tears.
LUNA: He'd probably have you erased from existence.
JETT: Worth it. For you.
JETT: Want me to come over? I'll bring emergency ice cream and a PowerPoint on why your family sucks.
LUNA: Not tonight. But tomorrow...
JETT: Tomorrow I'll be your emotional support hype man. From a safe distance. Because let's be real, that guy probably has drones.
She started the Vespa. The cheerful putter sounded absurd in the cold, silent courtyard.
As she drove away, she looked back at the Xiānyǔ fortress. All light. No warmth.
And she thought about tomorrow. About meeting the man who erases what she preserves.