Page 51 of Light Leech

“Two molars each.”

“So you do have a heart? Pet, you raised our little boy well.”

Boyband groaned. “Just finish it off already.”

“I know, I know.” She took a breath. “Alright, Pet, I’ve got the bounty wired to you and I’ll slip in the stream when it’s open. Seeing the code, there’s only the smallest window of error, so we have to go simultaneously. I’m going to link my neurospace to you right after the admittance opens. You plug?”

“Yup.”

“If, by any chance, only you make it, you have to keep going.”

“And what if I’m in danger? Didn’t you say something about dying in there?”

“Yeah, don’t do it. You do have the opportunity to withdraw if you are on the brink of death, but once you’re out, you’re out.”

“But if you go out, can I bring you back in as the host? If that’s what I am?”

“No. I won’t have the option to retreat. It’s the risk of attaching myself to you. I’m not going to be a present entity as far as they’re concerned.”

“Are you sure about doing this?” Naoma asked. I was glad she voiced her concern.

“It’s worth the risk to me,” Ralia said. “Me or the world? I choose the world.”

“But that’s not the same, Ral,” I said. “I can just go alone if I have a safe way out.”

“A safe way out, but not a sure way to success. Love yah, Pet, but you need my expertise. If this Pure Knowledge is as all-encompassing as Kalacia says, then maybe we can unlock our mod blocks.”

“You’re really sure?“ I asked.

“No. I’m not sure about one zegging thing except that you need to trust me. Every day we’ve played life or death games of chance and by the Light, our luck hasn’t run out. I would take this any day over facing Nichley again or going to that fetal god. It’s a test of knowledge and together we outsmarted Sanna-Kalacia. You plug?”

“I trust you, but I’m not comfortable.”

“Comfort died when Deleon found you. Boyband, you ready?”

“Hit it.” he said.

“Petya,” she said.

“Yes. Send it.”

“Zeg, I can’t see anything!” Boyband gasped.

”I told you, BB. Keep your hand on the zegging set. Let me know when you get the admittance approved, Pet.”

A message flashed onto my neurospace interface.

Assignment complete. Please enter the Standardized Test.

I read the message aloud. “Ready when you are.”

“Can you see now, BB?”

“Yeah, everything is booting up, but I think I’m good. You heading out?”

“We’ll still be here.”

“Right. Split minds. I plug.”