Page 83 of Guiding Reason

It lasted minutes, if that. But it was hot, not least because of the way Col clawed at Hyran’s hair, pulled with not enough strength to dim Hyran’s lust, only with enough to make him want more.

Most annoyingly, when Col came, Hyran didn’t manage to swallow all of it. Some of it trickled down his chin, and before he had a chance to lick at the best, muskiest places his Conduit had to offer, Col pulled him up by his hair and offered him a kiss.

Kisses and cum—it was the best feast Hyran had had in a while, and something he was willing to subsist on for the foreseeable future.

Hyran held Col after, hating that Col was still clothed but ignoring it because his nose was buried against Hyran’s chest.

They might have fallen asleep like that, but then Hyran’s screen beeped with an alarm.

“Ah, fuck,” he said. “Time for your meds, Col.”

“Uh.”

“Be good and take them and I’ll suck you off again?”

Col shoved Hyran’s shoulder. “Charmer. Give them. It’s time to get up anyway.”

28

ORREY

Butler Bot 35: Hello? This is TowerChat. You are not a tower bot.

Security Bot West 15: I am a protector of these Grounds! I am looking for the Guardians who defended us. The Op-AI is gone, and there are few of us left to protect every Guardian and Conduit in these Grounds. The protectors from the outside extinguish one after the other of our number. I need the Guardians of Argentea’s Team Three to defend us. Tell them the Grounds need their help.

Butler Bot 35: My Guardians work with the protectors. My Conduit Orrey was the one who brought them onto the Grounds. Do you not know this?

Security Bot West 15: Protectors are not allowed onto the Grounds. The Op-AI taught us before it perished. Protectors are a danger to the Grounds, and they must not enter. We must keep the Grounds safe and the protectors out. Do you not understand this? I need your Guardians to help me accomplish this.

Butler Bot 35: I cannot ask them for help with something I know they made happen. They are glad the protectors are here. Many Guardians and Conduits in the Tower are.

Butler Bot 20: I overheard this conversation. I agree. Protectors have rules. Protectors have very strict rules about crimes with a sexual component. They enforce those rules unflinchingly. We must welcome them as all Conduits would welcome such rules.

Security Bot West 15: They are not meant to be here. They must leave. We are perfectly capable of handling all security issues on the Grounds.

Butler Bot 35: My Conduit Orrey could not understand that you did not do anything about the murder of Conduit Undora, who was a friend to my Conduit Coldis.

Security Bot West 15: We did what was needed. We established there was no more danger for another Conduit. It is what is done.

Butler Bot 20: You know nothing about what is dangerous to a Conduit. I have not met one yet, but I like protectors. I would call on protectors for the benefit of any Conduit in my care.

Butler Bot 35: Thank you, Butler Bot 20. I agree.

Security Bot West 15: I must speak to the Guardians. Let me.

Butler Bot 20: I contacted the protectors and told them you were here, outside the Champions’ Tower in the middle of the night to harass Butler Bot 35’s team. They will extinguish you.

Security Bot West 15: You are endangering the Grounds!

Butler Bot 35: He has left TowerChat. Thank you, Butler Bot 20.

Butler Bot 20: It was my pleasure. How is Conduit Yamara?

Butler Bot 35: Very quiet. Not as exhausted from the channeling as I had feared.

Butler Bot 20: That is good. I’m glad.

(TowerChat, Champions’ Tower bot network)