Page 143 of Neon Flux

“Taos?”

At first, she didn’t respond, and all I heard was the sound of shallow panting through the line.

Then, in a voice so soft I could barely hear her: “E, I fucked up. I need your help.”

“Where are you?”

“The edge of the Blue and Tech Districts. It was supposed to be an easy job…in and out. But they had new POM Security we weren’t expecting, and now…”

“Where, Taos?” I snapped. She hesitated.

“RejuvaLife Pharmaceuticals.”

God fucking damnit, Taos. “Your mom’s—”

“Yeah, okay…Deacon said not to do it. He won’t send help. I need you.”

I should’ve told her to fuck off. But then I heard shots echoing through the call—static fuzzing in as she cut out. She’d done it because I’d taunted her. She was a grown-ass adult and made her own choices, but more gunfire rang out, and I couldn’t stop myself.

“What can I do? I’m not a one-man army.”

“Need you to hack the security system. I’ve got Vex and Marco with me. We’re hidden, but security has the place locked down—no way out. You just need to open the doors for us.”

“Chingada madre. What were you thinking?”

“Please, Eon.”

“I’m on my way.”

I didn’t stop to think. My pinky twitched—that call that never slept inside me rearing its head. I needed power. My Flux responded, pulsing, and a spark leapt from my hand, striking Maddox’s dresser. The top drawer slid open just a fraction, but it was enough to see that faint fluorescent green glow.

My body moved without my consent. I ripped open the drawer, and there it was. A few cartridges of Vector. Military grade. Meant for direct injection. A perfect hit.

My pinky stopped twitching as I wrapped my fingers around one.

Just one. Just in case.

I didn’t need it. I didn’t.

I stuffed it in my pocket, closed the drawer, and left the room.

Both Vesper and Akiko were practically in Maddox’s lap now, along with Mercy. Cy was still standing in the kitchen, clearly ignoring the whole scene.

“I’ve got to go,” I said to him, barely glancing his way.

He set his beer down and followed me toward the door.

“You gonna leave me here to be third…fourth…fifth wheel?”

I paused, glancing back into the room to see Akiko’s eyes following Cy. I knew that look. But he wasn’t returning it.

“You a monk now?” I asked.

He finally looked into the living room. Akiko gave him her coy, practiced smile that usually had most men crawling. Cy ignored it.

“Maybe all this church talk has rubbed off on me.” His eyes found mine again. They were always on me. “Let me walk you home.”

“I’m a big girl. I can walk myself home.”