Page 198 of Light Leech

“Wouldn’t you rather not know?”

“Ignorance doesn’t fix the problem.”

She scoffed. “Oh, Deleon, you idiot.” She shook her head. “You’re really going to bring morality into this? You know what you are, right?”

“Of course, I–”

“Then it shouldn’t matter. Food is food. Teeth are teeth.”

“For you it might not–”

“And it won’t be for you anymore. These people are obstacles. Is that enough?”

“No, but you aren’t going to give me a choice, are you?”

She smiled. “Like I said, I would rather have you eat these people than mine. Don’t act so special. It’s not like they’re saviors to mankind. I’m not that vindictive with my prey.”

“So you’re implant, it–”

“Look, I’m not as altruistic as you hope, but I don’t keep the implant just because I like teeth. You know that the best bite isn’t with the withdrawal. If you’re looking for a way to remove the implant and continue living a normal life, I can’t help you.” She removed her robe, draped it over the railing atop the small staircase leading to the feeding floor. She continued to remove her clothes until she wore nothing but a black sports bra and briefs. “I would do the same if I were you. It might be a while until anyone offers you a change of clothes, regardless of the blood. I’ll give you some wet wipes to touch up after this, but that’s the extent of my mercy.”

I did as she told me, not knowing if it was my choice or if I had been forced to obey a suggestion.

“Feed,” she said as if it were a simple, meaningless word, despite the brutality it entailed.

I sprinted across the room, not looking at her or anyone else as I tackled a tall, skinny man with bags under his eyes that made him look as exhausted as I felt.

His teeth were a quick fix for fatigue.

A few people fought back or stepped in to save their fellow victims, but their efforts were worthless compared to my increasing strength.

“Stop,” Diama said as I finished my third set of teeth.

“I want more,” I said. I had the autonomy to turn and face her, but not to reach for another victim.

Her eyes flashed in her neurospace. “Too bad, Dear Leader Kim wants you.”

“Already?”

“I know, and we were just getting to know each other. Dokkaebi’s fusion is proceeding ‘faster than we anticipated,’ according to him. Wipes are near the bottom of the stairs. Clean up as best you can, get dressed, then run upstairs. An escort will be waiting for you up there.”

I obeyed, not expressing any gratitude.

I was once again caught in that familiar limbo of savoring my feast while hating myself for the cost I had paid. I didn’t want to think about my victims. Selfish though it was, there was no point in dwelling upon what I had done without my free will.

It was easy to find another sobering thought.

I thought of Ralia. She who would have fed with me but could not because of what they had stolen from her.

Ralia.

I miss you. Your absence is a hole I can never fill.

I couldn’t fathom the agony we would face when I returned home and revealed her fate. It had to be in person. We needed to feel it together.

I miss you, Ralia.

Chapter thirty-one