Zane turned toward the laughter and at once recognized the girl who'd guided him through Solaris—the city's A.I. in human form.
"Xoxo," he called. "Was this your doing?"
The girl smiled with the same innocent tilt that had unnerved him before. "Sure. I'm happy to help you."
"Help me?" Zane's expression hardened. "Am I the only one left here?"
Xoxo nodded, unbothered. "Yes. You're the only participant I've kept here."
"Why am I still here? There has to be a good reason." He sounded sharper than he intended. Ten days had already bled past—Mars, the Ruin, Solaris—and he'd been itching to get home.
