The next candidate stepped forward from B Block.
Elias listened, but part of his attention stayed on Asurik as the man returned to the wall. Asurik did not look smug. That bothered Elias more than if he had. A person who enjoyed winning gave the room something clear to read. Asurik looked like someone who had practiced losing politely until it became a weapon.
Kikaru kept her eyes forward.
Her face gave almost nothing away, but Light hovered closer to her shoulder than before. The little Ikona's edges had sharpened into thin lines of white.
That was the tell.
Elias leaned a fraction toward her.
"You know him beyond the D Block rumor, don't you?"
Kikaru did not look at him when she answered.
"His family was not a rumor in mine, and that is all I will say here."
That was all she gave him, which meant it was more than enough.
