Is this what you'd call a date?

"Tell you what," I said. "After the testing, after the Demon Days, when things settle down—"

"Things won't settle down."

"—I'm gong to take you to the mall."

She blinked. "The mall? For what reason?"

"To hang out," I said. "We'll get some hamburgers. See a movie."

Zia hesitated. "Is this what you'd call a 'date'?"

My expression must've been priceless, because Zia actually cracked a smile. "You look like a cow hit with a shovel."

"I didn't mean... I just meant..."

She laughed, and suddenly it was easier to imagine her as a regular high school kid.

"I will look forward to this mall, Carter," she said. "You are either a very interesting person... or a very dangerous one."

"Let's go with the interesting."

The Red Pyramid, chapter 17 "Carter": A Bad Trip to Paris (The Kane Chronicles)

Carter Kane & Zia Rashid © Rick
Art © Karen De la Garza/ TottieWoodstock