Page 40 of The Only Way Out Is Up

“Um, no. Not at all.”

“Right.” She waves to me. “This is Taj. He has a runic.”

“You don’t say.” Weslai nods to me, rubbing his throat. “Hi, Taj.”

I clear my throat, feeling awkward, but before I can speak Ky goes on.

“The runic’s name is Star. He’s better than any runic I’ve ever seen; faster, smarter. He just needs a body to match his talents.”

Weslai, blinking, looks down at Star, who gives a cheery wave with one of his manipulators.

“His talents? Okay.”

“That means we’re going to need money,” Ky goes on. “For the body, and for the Ascent entry fee.”

Weslai’s face looks more pained than when she kicked him in the balls. “You know I can’t front you that much—”

“I know,” she says dismissively. “You’re a small-time dirtbag.”

He grins. “Hey. I’m a medium-time dirtbag these days.”

“We’re going to have to earn it in the runic fights. That’s where you come in.”

“Ahhhh.” Weslai seems to be regaining some of his confidence. He looks over at me and says, “Taj, was it? You don’t talk much.”

“Only compared to Ky,” I say.

He snorts a laugh. “Fair enough.” Weslai looks between us. “So that’s it? You want me to get you some fights?”

“Start small,” Ky says. “We’re going to have to build out Star’s body as we go.”

Weslai waves a hand. “The big-money fights only take known quantities, or else they’re rigged. You have to build a name for yourself doing king-of-the-pit first before you can get near them.”

“We need to be ready before the Ascent starts,” Ky says.

“I can ask around. Find some pits with a rich pot.” His eyebrows go up. “What’s in it for me?”

“Besides keeping your balls?” Ky snaps.

“You’re not going to get very many fights if you geld me.”

Ky rolls her eyes and purses her lips. “Fine. Three percent.”

“Ten,” Weslai says immediately.

“Are you seriously negotiating right now? Taj—”

I raise my hands in a leave me out of this gesture. Star, on the floor, mimics me.

“Fine,” Ky growls. “Five.”

“Six,” Weslai says.

“Six and you advance us enough for some basics,” Ky says. “And we’re going to need your connections to get more.”

“Of course,” Weslai says, gesturing expansively. “Anything for my, ah, favorite customer.”

Ky gives a sour nod.