I sprang up. My chest rose and fell unevenly. I couldn't get enough air, and my eyes watered. I squeezed my eyelids shut against the white light and, when I could see, searched for my hands and feet. I was free. I was clean. I was whole. I was alive. I breathed deeply, trying to calm myself.
I looked around. Cabinets and metal structures surrounded me. I lowered my head and felt a pile of plastic-wrapped metaboxes beside a makeshift bed. I brought a hand to my face. I was wearing a mask. It must have been Kiara. I listened closely and walked toward the distant voices.
"…Anne installed the malware in the guy." Saymon's voice carried a smile. "The first to fall."
"Those people are lustful," Trix remarked, laughing. "They rule the world. But behind closed doors…"
"You can do anything with them like that," Kiara added.
What were they talking about? I tried to approach silently, but misstepped and lost my balance. I bumped into a box, scattering the papers on top of it across the floor.
Every gaze turned toward me.
Saymon leaned against a table, turning the King of Pentacles between his fingers. He looked me up and down and smiled. His dangerous aura seemed to smile with him. "Akkie."
I straightened and turned to Kiara.
She and Trix stood a little apart, arms crossed. The android waved at me, smiling.
Saymon approached.
I held my breath with every step.
For a second, I wished I could cast my thoughts of Maia far beyond the stratosphere. I suppressed the urge to revisit the dream, so vivid it still unsettled me.
"Thanks." Saymon narrowed his eyes like a fox amused by something. "I'll be honest. I was displeased with Maia's decision," he whispered, his husky voice sending shivers through my entire body.
I swallowed. Kept my gaze lowered, too intimidated to face him.
"I'm actually starting to like you…" He stroked my forehead.
I gathered my courage and held his golden eyes.
Then Saymon stepped away, returning to the table.
I exhaled in relief. Would I ever stop feeling that anguish in his presence? The unease he provoked disturbed me. A bubbling stirred inside me at the mere possibility of him approaching.
"She's awake," Trix announced, playing with a dagger between her fingers. "Can we go?"
Kiara approached and rested her hands on my shoulders, reassuring me. Her friendly presence was comforting. Something about her could soothe me. "You okay?"
I nodded.
"Good. We'll have—"
Saymon's mocking laugh cut through the air. He clicked his tongue, amusing himself, and gave a mordant smile as he stared at Kiara. "Looks like we have a change of plans…"
The android faced him with sudden fury, growling through clenched teeth. "What—"
CRACK! A sharp sound came from outside.
ZZZZZZZZZZZTTT! The air buzzed, scraping my ears.
It sounded like a vehicle with a terrible engine malfunction.
VRMMM-KRRKK-PFFSSHH! The noise broke apart into bursts of air.
I fixed my eyes on the entrance.
The door began sliding slowly open.
"Look where you've dragged us!" Tanu's familiar voice grumbled.
Three little nanorobots and Hikaru followed close behind.
The cyborg wore a black haori over a white shirt, black cargo trousers, and white sneakers. On his human arm, a tattoo extended to his elbow, bearing the distinctive markings of the Ninkyō dantai's most important members.
A possibility illuminated my mind. Could Hikaru be one of the two people Kiara had mentioned? Could he decode the 3-R's QN-Cryptography?
Hikaru ran a hand over his katana. His eyes traveled over each of us.
"This place is filthy." Tanu shook his head.
I held back a laugh.
"Quiet," Hikaru ordered, remaining serene. Then he addressed the others. "Forgive my delay. The engine failed. Had to rig something up. Where are they?"
"Where are your manners, you imbecile of a master? I apologize on his behalf. Please, allow me." Tanu gave an apologetic smile. "How is everyone on this beautiful morning? I was doing wonderfully until I came here."
I wanted to squeeze that adorable little thing, but restrained myself.
Hikaru rolled his eyes and approached Saymon. He was a little shorter than him. The scene reminded me of a meeting between a wildcat and a fox. They stared at each other.
The atmosphere seemed to darken beneath the greed of Saymon's sinister aura. His jaw tightened, and a frozen expression of resentment and anger took over his face.
Both remained absorbed in that silent confrontation. Saymon, however, quickly recovered his cruel indifference. Hikaru's features concealed apprehension. And something else, difficult to grasp. Tension filled the room.
"So?" Hikaru asked, raising his eyebrows.
"In the back." Saymon's voice came sharp as a samurai's blade.
Hikaru nodded, stepped around him, and headed toward the back. "Tanu?" he called over his shoulder.
The little robot grimaced. "Have to help this idiot. He can't manage on his own."
The fearsome atmosphere began to dissipate. Almost. I nearly asked a question.
Saymon read me. His gaze conveyed more than any word. A vague answer whose meaning I wasn't yet prepared to understand.
"So, man?" Trix uncrossed her arms. "Shall we?"
Kiara stood, casting Saymon a furious look. Her aura seemed to form an incandescent whip, ready to strike him.
He smiled wickedly. "Of course. Except… you'll have to make a detour."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Kiara clenched her fists.
"Denden's been captured."