~ CASIMIR ~
There was silence in the link for a moment. Then Rake's voice came through just a little bit hushed, 'Wow, okay. Thanks.'
'I mean it.'
'I can tell.'
'But?' I asked with my teeth gritted.
'But…' He hesitated for a minute, then sighed. 'Do you still want me to be the challenger? Or is that just going to make this worse?'
'No. I… I need to hear what you think. Honestly.'
'Are you sure?'
'I'm sure,' I said, though my heart was beginning to race even faster.
