Amara's POV
Theodore glanced up from fidgeting with his fingernails, caught off guard. "I was already stateside."
"After we video-chatted yesterday, I had this gut feeling you'd need backup, so I caught the first flight over."
He looked maybe a year or two my senior, but carried himself with that innocent, untainted energy of someone who hadn't been worn down by the world yet.
His face brightened as he rummaged through his bag, producing a small medication container. "Right, almost forgot. Got you some premium bone-repair supplements. Had them rushed in from Cythera last night."
I brushed off his offer with a wave. "Pass. But now that you're here, I've got something for you to handle."
Theodore's gaze shifted to the cast wrapped around my right hand, concern flickering across his features.
Sure, a fractured bone wasn't exactly critical, but my hand? That was my trump card, my most valuable asset.
"What's the assignment?" he pressed, dropping his voice.
