Page 63 of Light Leech

“True. You think any of these people have an inkling of that?”

“I would say no, but the fact that they’re here means they must know that there is something to know.”

“That or they’re a bunch of pompous shacs who want a… title? Certificate? I dunno, some zegging thing to show that they are enlightened.”

I smirked.

“What, you think I’m wrong?”

“About the mass? No, but there might be some exceptions. If good people like you can be caught up in this, there’s destined to be a couple, right?”

She kissed my cheek and left a hand on it. “Awe, babe, you must want something complimenting me like that, don’t you?”

“What makes you say that?”

“I know you’re too cynical for that.”

I shook my head but couldn’t get rid of my smile. “Come on, even if they all killed someone like our failed assassins, we’re proof that good people sometimes have to do untasteful things.”

She raised her eyebrow. “Still not fishing for anything with that compliment? There, it is, now your face is going back to that sad-boy look. What is it?”

“I know it’s still a sore topic, but are you connected to Sha here?”

She took a deep breath, but I was relieved to see that her smile did not diminish. “Yes. I’m on better terms with him now.”

“Really?”

“Don’t get your hopes up, hun. We are business partners who recognize the need for collaboration. Boyband is a lost cause for keeping on that level, but I think you should try to remain as wary as possible. You have no reason to trust yours.”

“Except that the Luxists called them the Journeymen and got pretty excited that they attached themselves to us.”

“And we should just trust everything the Luxists say? I’m not saying we turn away from them. I think they have the best in mind, but they’re not all the ancient scholarly monks they wish they were. They led us to Water Hills for the wrong reason–”

“We’re still figuring that out.”

“Regardless, my point remains. They’re tools. Weapons, even. Look at your Bite. It gives you supernatural abilities, but it has a cost. Don’t you think these things have a cost?”

“I get it, I get it.”

Her familiar frivolity was gone. “I’m serious, Pet. Don’t brush this off. You said you wouldn’t be here without me and my help, take this as a piece of that advice. Use it responsibly, you plug?”

I nodded.

She kissed me on the cheek. “Let’s wander around a bit, get a feel of the place, maybe chat. We’ve got, what, thirty or so more minutes to burn? I’ve gotten intimate with plenty of people in less.”

“You mean–”

“Hihow!” she greeted the first person who noticed her.

Chapter eleven

The Last Will and Testament of the Eclaines

“Devóne, I hope you never hear this.” A voice spoke from David’s transplanted lips.

“Too late, Mom,” Boyband said. His voice was firm, forced, if I heard him right. He faced away from us as he listened.

The corner of my mouth turned up in pity. He had been a brother to me long enough for me to know that this was going to shred his facade into that of a child.