The digital lion cub remained suspended in the dim, trash-filled alley long after Heena had turned around and disappeared into the bustling streets of the West Market.
For several seconds, it didn't move. Then its glowing holographic face twisted into an expression of profound distress.
Slowly, it turned its head toward the eastern end of the market, where the magnificent, gilded rooftops of the Lu family estate rose above the surrounding buildings.
A long, static-filled sigh escaped its audio processors.
"That was close," the system muttered. "Way too close."
Its golden tail drooped as it recalled what had just happened.
It had deliberately manifested in a panic, grabbed Heena by the shoulder, and caused her to stumble into a pile of rotten buckets. It had been a selfish, desperate maneuver, but what else could it have done?
If Heena had looked inside that carriage and recognized the man sitting there, the consequences would have been disastrous.
The system shuddered.
