Page 213 of Code Bound
Though Stryker only got a few sips from me, the moment we leave the Boiler King warehouse and the creepy crawling automatons behind, I become aware of just how tired I am. I shouldn’t be this fatigued from just a little fight, not at a Tier Two. When I check my new HP bar though, it’s down by half and slowly regenerating, but I could really use a moment to rest.
“You good?” Locke asks as I stumble over a pile of garbage.
“Yeah,” I reply, repressing a yawn. “I’m fine.”
He studies me closely, and though he fought the Boiler King and defeated the boss, he doesn’t look like he’s too tired. Which means the Leech definitely has some serious power at his disposal. If I’m this tired from the tiniest of sips . . .
“We’ll go to the Coney Island safehouse again,” Locke says. “It seems closer than the Disorderly Hotel.”
“I said I’m fine,” I grumble.
He bumps his shoulder against mine. “I know you’re fine. It’s just to regroup. Figure out what we’re doing next. The Harrow Gates are opening soon, right?”
“Cipher?” I breathe, my steps starting to slow.
“One day, fifteen hours, forty-one minutes, and fifteen seconds,” he supplies helpfully.
“Exactly. So, we’re going to plan for that,” Locke nods.
His eyes trail over to where Stryker moves along with us, a permanent snarky smile on his face as he watches our interaction. Mostly, his eyes don’t leave me. It should creep me out. I’d be wise to think it creeps me out.
But I’m an idiot, so some part of me is enjoying the attention.
“I sure hope you know what you’re doing,” Locke says after we walk in silence for a few more minutes. When I wince, he leans closer. “I knew it!” he hisses. “You have no fucking idea!”
“We’re all winging it,” I whisper back. “He could be useful.”
“How? By sucking us dry?” he argues, his voice still low. “We should just kill him now. Leeches aren’t friends.”
“Not any more than Bone Breakers are,” Stryker interjects, clearly enjoying himself listening to us whisper about him. When I turn to look at him, his smile widens, as if I’ve graced him with some great gift.
Locke shoots him a scowl. “Why the fuck have you been tracking us anyways?”
“Us?” Stryker repeats. His eyes trace down my body. “Not us. Just her.”
“Why?” I ask. “It can’t be just because I taste good. There are thousands of players in the Harrow. You could chase down any one of them.”
He shrugs. “Curiosity. Eagerness.” He meets my eyes. “The intense urge to suck you dry while I fuck you. What more reason do I need than that?”
It’s my turn to scowl at the Leech now. “You know, I’m starting to really dislike you.”
“Lie,” Stryker purrs, leaning closer. He touches my chin with his sharp finger and tilts my head up. “You’re intrigued by me, Beastie. And you’re not immune to my charm.” He chuckles. “Even with this collar around my neck.”
I jerk my chin away. “Keep lying to yourself.”
His low chuckle makes my stomach flip. “I have no need to lie, Beastie. Everyone else does enough of that for the both of us.”
I step away, my eyes narrowed on him, before I turn and start walking again. I’m incredibly aware of his eyes on my back as I walk. As his eyes peruse me, I swear I can feel his fingers touch me in the same path. A few times, I glance behind me to doublecheck that he really isn’t touching me. Every time, he’s not close enough for the feelings I feel, and it’s starting to drive me mad.
After a few hours, the choking smog of Smokestack Row starts to thin and the Gilded District begins to appear, shining and glittering like a diamond in the grime. When we step foot outside of Smokestack Row entirely, I take the biggest, deepest breath possible simply because I can. My lungs immediately feel fuller and I have to stop for a moment, just to take in the feeling. I did the same when we first came into the Harrow. I can’t wait for Dox to feel it when she gets in. She’s going to lose her mind.
The Coney Island safehouse is one of the bigger ones we’ve been to. The entire boardwalk is considered the safehouse, the strange moving contraptions and all. As it appears in the distance, I can hear the thrilled screams of people on the speed tracks as it goes around and around. The sounds of New Babel are loud in general, but Coney Island, there’s an extra sound that filters out of it.
Happiness.
It’s so strange to hear, especially since we haven’t really heard it as loud before, that I have to stop for a second and take a few extra deep breaths. When we finally reach the entrance, I realize it’s because there are more players here than before. All around us, players play the games, wait to get on the speed track and the giant wheel, grab some of the hotdogs. Why are there so many now? Why weren’t they here before?
“Some people come to wait for people at the Harrow Gates,” Havoc answers the question in my eyes. “The day before the gates open, the nearby safehouses are usually busy.”
