Page 378 of Light Leech

I nodded, continuing to stare at the seat despite no apparent sign of concern. I had almost forgotten how common mod and tech chagrin was through beds and chairs. Since gaining my Bite, all my light came through teeth and–from what I understood–my Gui. With the other Imps with me all the time, it was easy to forget what had become a necessity for so many people. “Why do I never see you dock to charge your tech?”

She shrugged. “I never have.”

We both looked at Zhou, though Naoma was the one to speak. “Back to the cognitive block, barrier, or whatever you want to call it. Did you place that on me?”

“I heard you talking to her about her past on the way to the lake,” I said.

“Oh, Naoma, your history is such a mess.” He laughed. It lacked the confidence he had spoken with before his palace came crashing down. “How did Nichley lead you here?”

I almost said, “He didn’t,” but figured it was best to withhold as much as possible. Even if he survived, I was sure he could relay some information to the other Beacons.

Logic hit me.

I hopped into my neurospace.

Petya: I need to place a neuronet block on Zhou.

Ralia: Baaaabe! You actually got him! Ooooh, I’m so proud of you two.

Petya: Now.

Ralia: I plug. Give me a moment to get it to you. Initiate a contact exchange and it’ll keep him out.

Petya: For how long?

Ralia: How long do you want? Are you killing him?

Petya: Not sure if we can. He’s an and.

Ralia: Zeg, really? Well, I’ll give you one with an infinite lock, but we can unlock it back here if you need. If he’s an and, he should have access to the building’s network so we can shut off all the security and such.

Petya: You want me to drag him back there?

Ralia: Finish your interrogation, then we can chat.

Petya: Pulse.

Ralia: Check your notifications. It should be in there.

Petya: Beef2-brothel-bash The zeg is that?

Ralia: Something bold and recognizable so you don’t zeg it up and give him the wrong files.

Petya: Why would I give him something else?

Ralia: I’m sending another.

Petya: Ral-and-pet-fun-date? This one?

Ralia: Yup.

Petya: What is it?

Ralia: A calibration drive. It’ll help realign your mind with your half that was in the neurocore.

Petya: We’re done?

Ralia: Yup. Don’t run it until you’re done with Zhou. It’s a lot to process.