PYRA DRUMMED HER five remaining fingers on the table. The cafeteria buzzed with hundreds of different conversations, just as it had for countless days before and would for countless days to come if Chip never mustered the courage to approach Pyra's group. It had been three days since Miles had dissuaded him from attacking Pyra in the Arena. She'd expected him to make the next move, but the lanky boy had only observed her from across the cafeteria, waiting.

"What's going on?" ...