Chapter 14 · Steal the Starlight - Chapter 14: Perfectly Fake

"Hold still, villain." Wren slammed my wrist against the training mat hard enough to make my fingers go numb.

"The city is watching."\n\n"Then smile for them, hero." I twisted under her, caught the edge of her jacket, and yanked.

"You’re crushing my shoulder."\n\n"Good. Look angry."\n\n"I am angry."\n\n"Not enough."\n\nThe camera drones hovered three feet from our faces, red lights blinking.

Behind them, the studio audience screamed like Wren had just saved a bus full of puppies instead of pinning me to a mat with one knee pressed beside my ribs.\n\nShe flashed the audience her perfect smile. Her breath brushed my cheek, warm and quick. Up close, I could see the tiny crack in her gold eyeliner.

The city’s flawless magical girl had been running on painkillers and stubbornness for two days, and somehow the cameras still loved her.\n\nI hated that.\n\nI hated that I noticed.\n\n"Your cue," she whispered.\n\n"I know my cue."\n\n"Then hit me."\n\n"Gladly."\n\nI drove my knee toward her side.

She caught it before it landed and dragged me upright by the front of my shirt. The movement looked rough enough for the broadcast. Her fingers shook against the fabric.\n\nThat wasn’t part of the show.\n\n"You’re shaking," I muttered.\n\n"You’re bleeding."\n\n"That’s not an answer.