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“I’ll go with you,” Dekka said “Ar Cruz and Malik up to the room?”

“My pleasure”

Dekka intercepted a look between Malik and Cruz Neither of them had missed that Dekka wanted to talk to Shade alone But neither wanted to interfere, either, so they followed Armo toward the elevators

Dekka led Shade to an alcove housing landlines and an ATM

“What’s up?” Shade asked, unable to conceal a deep weariness identical to Dekka’s own bone-deep exhaustion

“You know about the FAYZ? You read the books, saw the movie?”

Shade nodded

“So you knoho I mean when I say that Drake is alive Or what passes as life where he’s concerned”

“Whip Hand,” Shade said, suddenly more alert

“Whatever you think you know, the reality is worse Much worse He’s been living out in the desert, but Toht him to LA Don’t knohere he is now, hopefully back in the far reaches of the Mojave But even if he is” She exhaled a shaky breath “He’s obsessed with her”

“Astrid Ellison”

Dekka nodded “Sooner or later he’ll go for her And Sa the gravity of what she was about to ask “No nor will be able to stop him”

Shade looked at the floor “DekkaI” She h “I’ lately, you know? Especially when it comes to the rock MalikYou don’t knohat’s happened to him, what he’s become”

“It’s a risk, a terrible risk,” Dekka agreed “But you do have some?”

Shade nodded so slightly it ht almost not have been intentional But after a moment she spoke “Yes, Dekka I have some”