Page 327 of Light Leech

“Don’t plan on getting used to it.”

“Look, Naoma, I didn’t mean–”

“Really. It’s nothing. Why are we complaining when neither of us are the problem. If anything it’s my fault for dragging you–”

“It’s my fault for pulling you into this zegging mess.”

“The mess that woke me up? I told you before, Petya. None of this is your fault. You let me free and I chose to follow.”

“And I’m choosing to follow you, too.”

“You’re right.”

“And you weren’t wrong to suggest Ralia.

“I meant she might be able to do something, not fix the entire problem.”

“And I should have given you time to explain. I’m sorry I bit back.”

“You’re nervous. I know you’re not like this.”

“Zegging worrytab withdrawals.”

“And that doesn’t help with the stress. You’re right to be concerned. Both of us need to be cautious, but maybe this revelation was bound to happen. You’re away from Medislavia and we have a hand in the government with Abbas.”

“Without him, I might be deported. I haven’t been here long enough to be a citizen, you know that, right?”

“Like they could catch you? Criminals mingle among the elite all the time. You’ll be a natural at this Dynasty thing, and I’m talking about you as an Imp. By no means does your citizenship or lack thereof mean you are a criminal. Those who run this country’s powers are thieves, brainwashing psychopaths, and rapists. Criminals are those who think that punishing you is worth the violence it would take to get you out of here.”

I smiled.

“See? Give me some time and I know how to make you feel better.” She smirked and nudged me with her elbow. “Just like my music used to do before we met, right?”

I sat up and looked into her eyes, drinking in the attention of someone I knew appreciated my presence.

How long could such a good thing last in a world like this?

Her hand pulled back as 3Rochi slid into the car to sit across from us.

I expected Kyo to make some remark about us, but her mischievous smile was enough to suggest that she was satisfied with fantasizing.

“You look nice,” Naoma said.

Kao looked into a handheld mirror as she pinched her eyelashes together to form small peaks. Koro inspected her nails, which were a bright red to match the rest of her outfit and pointed like talons with an adornment of small pearls and gems. They each wore their respective colors with violet lines of living light to accent their style.

Kao closed her mirror placed in a compartment on the door. “Need anything before we dash?”

Naoma and I looked at each other and shook our heads.

Kyo turned back and knocked on the window to the chauffeur. The skyride lifted and flew in line with the skyline traffic.

Kyo leaned forward, resting her hands on her cheeks with elbows on her knees. “Are you two ready? Nay, you’ll be fine. If anything, everyone there will be nervous to meet you and so excited to talk about your latest mindshow! Oh, what is that? I know suppressed disgust when I see it. Did you and Nichley split on bad terms?”

“I don’t see myself working with them anytime soon.”

“Oh? Do tell.”

“I’d rather not.” Both of them smiled at each other with an expression that grew more pressured by the moment.