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“I think so. He certainly calls himself a technomancer.” I give him a level look. “He owes me a favor, and I think I can get him to help.”
That’s a fib. If anything, I owe Felix a favor—or several. Still, I think I can convince him to lend a hand. In the worst case, I could pay his usual rates—assuming he’d accept payment in Gomorran cc instead of US dollars.
“Fine.” Valerian extends his hand. “You’ve got a deal.”
With almost no hesitation, I grasp his palm. Cooties or not, his handshake is strong and firm, his skin pleasantly warm and dry as his palm engulfs my fingers. A part of me never wants to let go, even though the knowledge of the germs we’re sharing freaks me the puck out.
A few loud heartbeats later, I realize we’re still holding hands—and that he’s gently massaging my palm. Whoa. His thumb is rubbing in the exact spot where my palm feels tense, and it feels both soothing and—
Something chimes in Valerian’s pocket.
Frowning, he lets me go and makes a gesture that looks like a VR command. “That was my alarm,” he says apologetically. “I have an important meeting I have to get to.”
Flabbergasted by the handholding, I just nod.
He rises to his feet. “Get Felix on board and meet me at my headquarters on Earth later today. I’ll send you the time and the address.”
I nod again, still mute.
He makes a few gestures that look like he’s taking care of payment, then leans in and brushes his lips over my cheek.
My heartbeat goes supersonic. Openmouthed, I stare as he exits my personal space and strolls out of the restaurant as if he has no care in the world.
When he disappears from sight, I hygieia my hands and face and gulp down the rest of my tea before mindlessly devouring the rest of my food. Though everything is as delicious as before, the overactive state of my parasympathetic nervous system prevents me from enjoying it. Finishing the meal, I open up the app to pay and find that Valerian already paid for my portion.
That’s nice of him. It’s as if we were on a date. Wait a minute—were we?
Shoving aside the unsettling thought, I leave the restaurant and retrace my steps, taking the hyperloop and then a car to the hub building.
When I get into the elevator, I check my messages.
As promised, Valerian sent me the deets for our meeting.
I memorize the location in case my comms stop working when I get to Earth—though I doubt they will. Strictly speaking, I should leave all Gomorran tech here, but I’m feeling daring today. The New York Council owes me one, so even if I get caught, I’ll probably get off scot-free.
Hopefully.
Exiting the elevator, I take in the view from the top of the skyscraper and bid civilization farewell. With a few decisive strides, I enter the pulsing energy of Earth’s gate and arrive in the hidden section of the JFK airport. A few labyrinthian corridors later, I join the human travelers who have no idea this airport can take you to another world.
First things first: I find a place that sells hand sanitizer and get a few bottles. With no access to hygieia, this is the best I can do.
Ready to face this germ-infested world, I head for the taxi pickup location and text Felix on my Earth phone: Need to talk to you in person.
His answer comes back instantly: Come to my apartment.
I reply in the affirmative and use an app on my phone to summon a ride. Soon after, we hit traffic, my least favorite aspect of this place—besides the lack of proper sanitation, that is. On Gomorrah, we share the cars, which, combined with hyperloop and flying vehicles, has made traffic a thing of the past.
Eventually, we arrive in Manhattan.
Battery Park, the neighborhood where Felix lives, is nice—at least for Earth. There’s lots of greenery all around, and the views of the toxic waters of the harbor are pleasing to the eye. When I get up to Felix’s floor, it’s bullet—and maybe even rocket—proof, something that’s not the case with other apartments in the building.
I ring the doorbell.
Chapter Six
The door opens, revealing Ariel’s grinning face.
Ariel is an uber, an extremely good-looking and super-strong type of Cognizant. She and Felix are roommates, so seeing her here isn’t a big shock.
“Bailey!” Before I can blink, she envelops me in a hug so tight a bear would be proud of it.
Since she doesn’t touch any exposed skin, I find it easy to calm myself after the contact—especially once I catch my breath and ascertain that my ribs aren’t broken.
“What are you doing here?” she asks excitedly, waving me in. “I didn’t think you’d come back to Earth so soon after the last adventure.”
“I’m surprising myself, trust me.” I close the door behind myself.
