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“This will have to do for now while I go look for the others. You’ll have to stay completely still.”

Blythe blinked her eyes.

“Try not to die.” Grace ran off, keeping low against the cars. “Lucas! Missakian!” she yelled.

“Grace,” a muffled voice came from behind a pile of rubble. It sounded like Lucas.

“Where are you?” she yelled.

“Over here. You gotta help me, my leg’s pinned.”

Grace ran toward the pile of smoldering rubble. She cringed when she saw her team leader pinned halfway under a slab of concrete. She bent down and tried lifting it up, but it was too heavy.

“I need to find something to pry it off of you,” she told Lucas.

“You better go on without me—you’ll get shot down.”

“I’m not leaving you behind, sir. I’ll get you out of this.” Grace rummaged through the debris, digging for something sturdy. She found a five-foot beam and dragged it back over to Lucas. She put a large rock close to his hand, then placed another one about sixteen inches from the slab and laid the beam over it.

“It’s like a seesaw. Those things kids play on,” he mumbled.

“I know what a seesaw is,” she said.

“So serious.”

“I don’t want you to die. So pay attention. I’m gonna get the beam under the slab, then jump on the other end. Hopefully it won’t snap. Once it’s up, shove that rock under the slab.” She looked down at Lucas, who was smiling. She almost got distracted, but paid attention to the matter at hand: freeing his leg. “On three. One, two, three . . .”

Grace jumped on the end of the beam, using all of her body weight. The slab rose up enough for Lucas to shove the rock underneath just before the beam cracked. There was enough room to pull him out. Grace dragged him backward inch by inch until he was free. He was bleeding badly just above his right knee. She cut through the leg of his jumpsuit and stopped herself from gagging when she saw his femur poking up through his thigh. She assessed the fracture, first checking the circulation and status of the nerves. Lucas cringed, but kept quiet. She gave him a shot of morphine to help ease the pain.

“I can try to set it, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. I could make a splint.”

“You’re a little greenish. That’s kinda cute.”

“Focus, Lucas. We’re running out of time. I’m just gonna splint it.”

She grabbed the smaller part of the beam and used their jackets to fashion it against his leg to keep it straight. Once his leg was secure, she helped him up and balanced his weight as they trudged back to the alcove where Blythe was passed out, but still alive. Grace smashed a brick through the shop’s front door, stuck her hand through, and unlocked it. She carefully dragged Blythe inside, then propped Lucas up against the counter.

“Keep your head back,” she told Lucas.

“What’s your plan?” he mumbled through his morphine high. His face was white, and his lips were turning blue. He was going into shock.

“I’m gonna find a car and get us out of here, but I gotta find Missakian. I’m sure he’s bleeding to death somewhere. I can’t leave a man behind.”

Lucas saluted her. “You got this, Grace,” he said.

“I’ll be back. Just stay alive.”

All along Sunset Boulevard, buildings were ablaze and soot filled the air. Another missile zoomed across the skyline and careened into the Hollywood sign, blasting it to bits. If she didn’t hurry, she’d meet the same fate.

“Missakian! I know you’re out here. Give me a signal!” she yelled into the dust.

A block away, a bright orange flare shot up. She ran in that direction. On the ashy cement, she noticed a thick trail of blood. Of course the last rescue would be teeming with blood. She laughed as she followed the trail until she came upon Missakian. He was propped up in the doorway of a liquor store, blood pouring from a wound in his neck. External jugular. He still had time. She took out a clean cloth from her medical bag and applied pressure, doing her best not to obstruct his trachea or let in any air bubbles. She needed to avoid an embolism. She kept the pressure applied to ensure the blood was reaching his brain and getting oxygen into his organs, otherwise he’d go into hypovolemic shock.

“You’re doing great, dude,” she told him.

He tried to say something, but she couldn’t hear him. She got closer to his mouth. “Lost my headband,” he muttered.

She smiled and nodded, realizing he had nothing holding back his unruly hair.

“Hold this tight against your neck. I’m gonna clamp it.”

She used a makeshift medical clamp and did her best to seal off the blood flow. The worst part was over, and she needed to get him back to the others. But he couldn’t walk. She looked around for something to transport him. In the back room of the liquor store, she found a dolly. She sat Missakian on the small lift and tilted it backward, then pulled it behind her like a cart.

By the time she got to the others, the missiles had stopped and the boulevard was eerily calm.

“It’s too quiet,” she said to her injured teammates.

“I don’t think it matters,” Lucas mumbled.

Grace looked at the motley crew. They were in shambles, but they were all alive. She had performed her Search & Rescue duties. The test was over, and she had passed. She laughed and laughed . . .

Coming up out of the virtual, Grace was still laughing. “I did it!”

And so she had. She had handled every single trauma emergency put before her. And she hadn’t fainted or tried to run off to save the day. She left the Delta training room feeling confident. But there was something else to do—she needed a dress for her date with Lucas.

15

AFTER LEAVING THE Delta training room, Grace chimed Marion, knowing she’d be the best person to recruit for dress shopping.

“Hi.”

“How’d you do?”
Marion chimed back.

Grace sent an icon of a thumbs-up.

“Congrats!”

“Celebratory shopping?”

“Meet you in the lobby . . .”

Marion showed up a few minutes later and almost tackled Grace to the ground. “I’ve missed you, Gracie!” she said with a rib-cracking hug.

“Whoa, your combat training is paying off.”

“I’m so sick of pull-ups.”

“I’m so sick of reassembling body parts.” Grace got serious for a second. “So, I need a dress for the gala event.”

“You’re actually going to the Survivor’s Shuffle?” Marion asked, surprised.

“Please don’t call it that.”

“Why the change of heart?”

Grace smiled shyly. “I kinda have a date.”

“Let me guess—your team leader?”

“How’d you know?” Grace asked.

“Pretty obvious.”

They took a transporter to the dress shop they had visited on their first day in Silicon Valley. The boutique looked even more dazzling than Grace remembered. Once again, beautiful virtual models meandered around the shop, showing off the fashions. Grace saw the soft pink dress with the wing bust.

“That one,” she said, pointing.

“The cupcake dress!” Marion squealed.

“You’re way too excited about this.”

“I’m getting the leopard one!”

Grace rolled her eyes, but those butterflies were fluttering around in her stomach again. She couldn’t wait to get dressed up and knock Lucas off his feet.

*

Grace stood in front of the bathroom mirror one more time just to make sure everything was in place. Her hair was pulled back into a twist and her makeup delicately accentuated her features, especially her green eyes. The only problem was the shoes. She had practiced walking in them all day, yet she still didn’t feel one hundred percent comfortable. Other than that, she was ready for her date with Lucas. She applied a layer of gloss on her lips and took some deep breaths to calm her jitters.

She demurely glanced up at her reflection and practiced smiling. She felt ridiculous. “You’ll be fine,” she told herself. She lifted her chin slightly and curtsied, the way a lady from the Inside might. She practiced a few times until she heard the door chime. She looked at her reflection again. “He’s here. Okay, breathe. Focus on your opponent. No, wait—he’s
not
your opponent. He’s your
date
.” She smoothed out the front of her dress and walked to the door.

Lucas stood at the entrance, donning a fitted black suit. She tried to stop her heart from exploding, but it was impossible—he looked gorgeous. The smile went from his lips, rose through his cheeks, and lit up his green eyes. She smiled and performed a curtsy.

“I know how you like tradition,” she said.

He stayed in the doorway.

“What’s wrong?” Grace felt her stomach knot up.

“How do you expect me to dance?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll be falling all over you.” He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close, kissing her cheek. “You’re exquisite. Absolutely and completely exquisite,” he whispered in her ear, sending chills up and down her spine.

She pulled away, knowing if she didn’t they’d never make it to the damn Survivor’s Shuffle. “We should go,” she said.

“Do we have to? Can’t we have our own celebration right here?”

“Marion’s waiting for me. We can always . . .” She paused. “Come back later.”

“Good enough for me.” He took her hand and kissed her again. “But don’t make me wait too long.”

The two took a transporter to the gala event.

The academy had transformed the courtyard into an enchanted garden. Strings of delicate lights hung throughout the trees. Floating orbs drifted in the atrium like tiny bubbles, changing colors and leaving behind fragrant scents. Music streamed at the perfect volume, and at the center of the garden there was a sparkling glass platform for dancing. A waiter came over and offered champagne to the couple. The effervescent beverages also shifted colors like the floating orbs.

“It’s magical,” Grace whispered.

“You’re magical. Seriously, let me look at you.”

Grace spun in a slow circle, letting the layers of fabric and underlying crinoline jet out all around her.

“Marion says I look like a cupcake.”

“Hmm . . . Good enough to . . .”

She put her fingers on his lips.

“Speaking of Marion, check out the dance floor.” Lucas motioned over to the platform where Marion was pressed up against a handsome fellow, dancing to the slow, methodical music. Marion glanced over at Grace and Lucas, pointing to both of them, then back to her and her date.

Grace gave her the thumbs-up. “Didn’t know she had it in her,” she said.

“Didn’t know
he
had it in him.”

“Who?”

“Missakian,” Lucas said.

“That’s Missakian?” Grace squinted her eyes to get a better look.

The scruffy boy she ran drills with had morphed into a gentleman in a black tux and polished shoes. His unruly hair was slicked back and his skin radiated from a fresh shave. And there was no headband. He held Marion tight against his strong body, and the two glided around the floor with confidence. “He cleans up nicely,” she said.

“I might’ve given him some assistance.” Lucas winked, then took Grace’s hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I’d like to show you something.”

Lucas led her to a transporter and they rode it to the roof. Outside, they could see all of Silicon Valley—lights twinkled from the streets like a million flickering candles.

“Tallest building in the valley,” he said.

They walked to the ledge and sat down, letting their feet dangle over the side. The cool night breeze sent a chill over Grace, and she leaned closer to Lucas to keep warm.

“Hope I don’t lose a shoe,” Grace said, looking at the academy campus hundreds of feet below.

“Here, let me help.” Lucas lifted each foot and removed her shoes, setting them down on the ledge.

Grace nudged them over the side, where they plummeted to their death. “I’m more of a combat-boot type of gal.”

“You’re good in anything.” He scooted closer so their legs were touching.

“Thanks,” she said, feeling embarrassed.

“I’m sorry I took you away from the Shuffle.” He looked over his shoulder back to the rooftop. “Come here.” He stood up and helped her off the ledge. “May I have this dance?”

She smiled at his corniness and lightly punched his shoulder.
Not very ladylike,
she thought, wishing she could take it back. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she leaned against his chest. They were so close she could feel his heart beating. Not sure what to do with her arms, she reached up and rested them on his shoulders. Lucas began humming, and they swayed together under the stars.

“An unlikely friendship,” he said.

“What?”

“Like the book. The one about the spider and the pig.”

Grace laughed. “
Charlotte’s Web.
You remembered.”

“I got caught in your web the second I saw you with that sword.”

“Oh, please. That’s terrible.”

For the first time since she had meet Lucas, he seemed a little nervous and unsure of himself. “It’s true. I liked you right from the start,” he said shyly.

“Is that why you cut my forehead?”

“You know that was an accident.”

“And what about all that talk of keeping it professional?”

“Clearly, that didn’t work.”

She rested her cheek against his shoulder and relaxed a bit. After a month of intense studies and those impossible team drills, she deserved this moment.

A low hum came sweeping up over the side of the building, and halogen lights illuminated the rooftop.

“Hovercraft,” Lucas said, grabbing Grace’s hand. They bolted and hid behind a solar grid.

The craft zipped up slightly, then settled onto the rooftop, making very little noise. Grace hadn’t seen one in years. The majority of the fleet had been destroyed during the southwest battles years ago. Why was there one on the rooftop of the academy? They stayed behind the grid and spied on the scene. The hovercraft remained parked, but no one got out. They waited and watched with growing curiosity. The wind picked up, causing Grace’s dress to rustle and swish about. She knelt down and held the material against her knees. The last thing she needed was to get caught on the roof with her team leader.