Avery spent the next two days in a haze of metal, fire, and frustration.
Reyna had vanished after her cryptic comment, leaving Avery with a to-do list that felt more like a challenge than an assignment. Every time Avery thought she was done, another line of code glitched. Another bolt was misaligned. She didn't know if Reyna was actually testing her—or just tormenting her for amusement.
Either way, Avery refused to break.
On the third morning, just after she finished calibrating the hover system of the next racer's bike, the door slid open and someone else entered.
Not Reyna.
It was a lean woman in a crimson racing jacket, scar lining her jaw, arms folded. She looked Avery up and down like she was judging an unfamiliar engine.
"You the time-travel girl?" the stranger asked.
Avery didn't pause in her work. "That's one name I've heard. You have another?"
"Nova. I ride second for Reyna. Used to be her number one—until you showed up."
Avery stood, wiping her hands. "Didn't mean to step on anyone's throne. I just wanted to not be someone's slave."
Nova chuckled dryly. "Then why are you still here?"
Avery paused. She didn't know how to answer that. Part of her wanted to say freedom wasn't as simple as walking away. Another part didn't want to admit she was fascinated by Reyna—and this world.
"Because I don't run from unfinished business," she said finally.
Nova nodded slowly. "Good answer. You'll need that fire. Because Reyna? She only keeps people close for two reasons—loyalty or leverage."
With that, Nova turned and left, boots echoing across the floor.
Avery stood there, gears silent around her, her stomach twisting.
Later that night, Reyna returned.
This time, there was no smirk. Just silence as she watched Avery attach the last panel to the reassembled racer.
"I heard Nova visited," Reyna said.
"Is she always so friendly?" Avery replied.
"She's protective. She thinks I'm letting you in too close."
Avery's heart ticked faster. "And are you?"
Reyna stepped forward. "You tell me."
Their eyes met. The air between them charged again—rivalry and something new. Something heavier. Reyna's hand lifted, brushing a smudge of grease from Avery's cheek.
"You're not what I expected," Reyna murmured.
"And you're exactly what I expected. Complicated. Dangerous."
Reyna leaned in, her breath warm on Avery's skin. "And that scares you?"
Avery didn't move. "It should."
But she didn't pull away either.
Reyna's hand lingered for a second too long.
Then she stepped back.
"Get some rest," she said, voice low. "Tomorrow, we race together."
As she left, Avery touched her cheek. It was still warm where Reyna's fingers had been.
Whatever this was, it wasn't just rivalry anymore.
It was a slow burn.