Page 359 of Light Leech

“Have you ever seen a boat race, Idol?”

“I’m not sure I know what you mean?”

“The ancient Arabasian Dragon Boat Races.”

“No.”

“I suppose that was more to the west of your hometown, though I should check if there were any close to your childhood home. If so, your parents were cruel for never letting you experience such a thrill.”

My mind had been filled with fog, but I latched onto that realization. He knew about her past.

I couldn’t tell if my hatred or jealousy was greater.

“I’m excited to see what it is, but I can’t step aside from the reason I came.”

“And that is?”

“Your plots.”

“Are you saying that you want one?”

“Perhaps, but I want to know more about your purpose. What’s the point of giving everyone determined relationships, choreographed drama, scandals, and so forth?”

“Why else? It grasps the world’s attention.”

“And what do you want with that? Don’t say lumens, because we both know it’s more than that.”

“We do?

“You told me that you knew about our dealings with Nichley–”

“I must say, bringing the fan who ruined his operation with the tide in Arabasia was a brilliant ploy on your part.”

“Mhm.”

“You know, he never told me you were with us. I never expected to see you pull through after leaving with them.”

“I know when I’ve lost a fight. I pulled out there, worked my way into their little club, and now I’m returning the favor here. That still doesn’t clarify everyone’s positions. I knew Nichely’s and Deleon’s from his people after the fact, but I still don’t understand what you have here.”

“See!” I heard a smack as if he was hitting the arms of one of his companions. “I told you she was a true Violet. I gotta admit, I was a little worried when you left with Deleon’s old crew. How did you know we had eyes on you? A lot of people were doubting you, saying you were trying to get away before anyone could take you back.”

“How did I know?” There was a brief pause. “Because I know who I’m working with. I might know who you are, but that doesn’t mean I understand how your plots are working towards the end.”

“How am I feeding it?”

“Yes.”

It sounded like a door opened, then the clamor of a roaring crowd drained away the voices of Naoma and Zhou. The shouts were for no simple gathering. This was a hungry audience gnashing their teeth for amusement

My Bite was emptying more by the minute, but I still had a fair amount of my reserve when complete consciousness returned.

I reviewed the hazy memories of the conversation I had just heard as two people dragged me by the arms and threw me onto a rocking platform. A sour and fruity aroma filled the air with an alcoholic stain.

Something else slammed on the ground next to me, shaking it just as my fall had. That something revealed itself as a someone, who then used me as a support to stand. Something shot the ground forward as if kicked out from beneath me. I fell on my back as something splashed into me.

“Get the zeg up!”

I pulled from my reserve again and stood, overcoming the light-headed daze, with the help of a cybernetic hand. I was cold. Everyone around me wore the same black spandex briefs, with small spandex tops for the women. All of the clothing was laced with light. The colors varied from person to person, though each had a translucent orb at their hip. Mine was blue, leaving me to wonder if it had anything to do with ascension or if any of this had a point at all.