"Please save me," Owen's lips mouthed across the lobby.
I did not think that could be right. My mind came up with at least six other more rational phrases than Light Slayer asking me for help. Still, Owen kept making eye contact and smiling at me. I started to fight the crowd towards him. Better to find out now if he was flirting with some statuesque blonde behind me.
I was about 10 steps away when two very large men in black suits took up positions on either side of Owen. "Mr. Redd, could we ask you to move to the rotunda? We're having a bit of a foot traffic problem."
"No problem," Owen said. "Sorry, I'll see everyone later."
I half-expected the bouncers to push me aside, but Owen reached out just in time. "There you are," he said. "Thank God."
"You said it was just a small tournament," I said.
"It is. Registration is always like this. Plus, someone plastered a picture of me here all over social media. I guess the game has been gathering a lot more fans than I thought," Owen said. He laced his fingers between mine and pulled me closer as we walked through the crowd.
"So, you're really a rock star of the gaming world, huh?" I asked.
Owen shook his head. "Who knows? Someone might take me down during the tournament. That's half the fun of Dark Flag – anyone can rise to power."
"My liege," a trio of blushing young girls bowed to Owen as we passed.
"Right. Guess you gotta soak it up while you can," I said. With all the attention Owen was getting, I had a new theory of why he wanted me there. "So, you needed me in a fake girlfriend situation to fend off all the crazy Dark Flag groupies?"
Owen laughed. "Not a bad idea, but no. I really thought you would have fun here."
I tried not to be disappointed but lagged behind when someone tapped me on the shoulder. "Seriously? You look just like your avatar. I recognize you from Dark Flag."
I turned to face a perfect oval face with bright violet eyes. Her long black hair was straight to her waist and shining black. "You recognize me? That's a little weird, isn't it?"
The gorgeous gamer scoffed. "If you're not observant, you're not going to be a very good player. You've been stalking the Light Slayer and hanging around. Kinda pathetic, don't you think, newbie?"
I looked at my fingers interlaced with Owen's as we made our way slowly through the crowd. "Does this look like stalking?" I asked.
Owen turned around. "Anya! It’s so good to see you. How are you?" He let go of my hand and embraced the black-haired woman.
She smiled at me around his shoulder. A fiery irritation flashed over me, but she was right – I was just hanging around Owen.
"Anya, this is Quinn. Quinn, this is Anya. She's one of the first gamers I worked with when I was learning code. Her first game made millions. She's the one that's redefining the gamer lifestyle," Owen said.
"I didn't catch what you do, Quinn. How do you two know each other?" Anya asked. She held out a delicate and bejeweled hand.
Owen shifted from one foot to the other. "Quinn and I have known each other forever. I used to date her sister Sienna."
"Really?" Anya cocked a sleek black eyebrow at me. "You don't look anything like her." She pulled Owen farther away from me. "I thought you were done with Sienna. She was no good for you. And now you're with her sister?"
I prayed my cheeks did not look as red as they felt. Owen shook his head and hesitated. "It's not like that."
"Well," Anya said, "I have our suite all ready. Let's get you settled in." She took Owen's arm.
"Your suite?" I asked.
Owen unhooked Anya's arm. "It’s kind of a tradition. Anya springs for a big suite and all our gamer buddies stay there. Not the most sophisticated way to travel. It’s more like a big sleepover, but it gives us time to practice."
"Don't worry," Anya said, "I'll let my security guy know who you are. You can visit anytime."
I stopped and looked back at the crowded registration counter. There was a slim chance I would get a room in the same hotel.
"Sorry, Anya. This is Quinn's first tournament and I promised I would show her the ropes," Owen said. "We'll check in and meet you."
"Nonsense. There's room enough for strays in the suite too. If that's what you want, Owen," Anya said.