Page 54 of Light Leech

“We did meet with Haven,“ Abbas said.

“Yeah, yeah.” Akna waved him off. “But first, I want to know why you think they’re bad.”

Naoma raised her eyebrows at Akna. “How much do I really need to explain? They’re another girl group owned by Reef Records. To be fair, I think I am the only one who has her past hidden from her. The others were bought by Reef. I just kind of appeared one day and they accepted it. Any time I tried to ask about it, they brushed it off. Why do you care about Bom-Girls?”

“I’m still a kid. Let me enjoy it.”

“How old are you?”

“Eighteen.”

“Your childhood died a year ago, babe,” Ralia said.

“Look.” Naoma put her hand on Akna’s shoulder. “I get your enjoyment. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you need to separate them from the idols you thought they were.”

“Coming from you?”

“Yes. Especially from me. Look at me now, Akna. I’m a girl. A human. Nothing worthy of worship or the devotion the world tosses me because of my talent. That’s not even mentioning the lesser person I was when Reef owned me. Sure, Bom-Girls have done some terrible things, but even if they were great, it doesn’t mean they need your love. The lumens and egos they receive are more than enough.

You’re a Cross follower, right?”

Akna nodded.

“Then prioritize your worship. Bom-girls aren’t worth it.”

“I never said I worshiped them.”

“I know, I know, it’s just… I’m seeing the consequences of my devotees when I didn’t deserve all that they gave me. I guess I still feel lingering guilt.”

“I understand. I just like their music and thought it was cool to see them.”

“Right, I’m sorry, Akna.”

“Don’t be. You’re just trying to keep us all safe, right? What did they do that was so bad anyway?”

“They pull fanboys in, make them think they have a shot, then basically enslave them. That’s just a taste of what I’ve heard before it takes a darker turn. Reef isn’t good. I see that so much more now that I’m on the outside.”

“Which is probably why they were meeting with Haven,” Abbas said. “I think we have the competition wrong. I don’t think Reef wants the presidency, not officially at least. They want to join with Haven.”

Boyband laughed. “Drugs and entertainment, what could go wrong?”

Naoma didn’t acknowledge Boyband but looked at Abbas, distraught. “What?”

“Haven thinks they’re going to lose the upcoming election after declaring war without any Neon Essence to make it worth it. They still have the monopoly on current techbone treatment, but figure they need a new approach. What better way is there to gain public adoration than through their idols?”

Naoma pressed the skin of her forehead up as she groaned.

“Hey,” Boyband said. “This isn’t that bad. Our ties with Haven are destined to burn when they get a clue, but you still have connections to Reef, don’t you?”

“I don’t know if they’ll be happy to chat after leaving to work for Nichley.”

“It was just another contract, right? Don’t things like that happen all the time? I’ve seen the Neon Idol advertising meds, cosmetics, and all of that guk.”

“But it’s Nichley.”

“They don’t mix well? Reef has their head on right, then.”

“I don’t know if I would say that. Regardless, I didn’t leave on the best terms.”