“Aw,” Aquila says, sitting at Avi’s computer, “the King of the Domes.”
“You get email from a king?”
“His aides, actually.”
Mayor Nynke considers this. “So you have a formal diplomatic relationship with a head of state? Without the Mayor’s office knowing?”
“A diplomatic— He’s a friend,” says an unimpressed and slightly annoyed Avi.
But Mayor Nynke isn’t particularly impressed either, and casts a doubtful look upon him.
“Please tell me,” Avi whispers to Aquila, “it’s not to late to take a black pebble instead.”