Page 64 of Swamp Kings 1

“Good, but… don’t let any of the women know.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s lost alotof his memories.”

“Which ones?” he asked, cautiously.

“His short-term ones.”

“His wife?”

Harlow closed his eyes, nodding. “Yep.”

“We’ll be ten minutes.”

“Bring Kult, will you?”

“Then we’ll be fifteen minutes.”

****

“He’s afuckingAI, Harlow,” Kult said. “AI’s don’t havestrokes.”

“I’m still evolving,” Quantum seemed to remember.

“Yes, you’re still evolving,” Harlow nodded at him, turning so only Kult could hear. “I think Kaphas’ Backlash turned his power on him and fried his circuits. He…” Harlow glanced behind him then got closer to his ear. “He doesn’t rememberIsla.”

“What!?” Kult barely mouthed.

Fetch opened the door. “Isla’s coming.”

“Oh fuck,” Harlow said, eyes wide. “Stop her!”

“I’ll do it,” Kult said, hurrying out.

“Who’s Isla?” Quantum demanded, pissed he didn’t know.

“Bro,” he cautioned, coming closer to him when he looked like he was going to try and stand again. “Normally, protocol dictates I don’t tell youshit that could upset you.”

His golden eyes sharpened to kill-mode. “You not telling me shit is a lot worse.”

Again, he moved to stand, sending Harlow back into the danger zone. “At least let me spot you if you insist on getting off this bed. What you need to do is tell me what youdoremember, and we’ll go from there,” Harlow swore, glancing toward the door, wishing Kult would get back in there.

Thank fuck, he sat. “I remember a lot but it’s in fragments.”

“Like what. Do you remember why you’re in here?”

“I remember you and that you created me, and… I remember… Augustine. And Kult and Atlas. Sync. Pain and Butterfly, and somebody named… Reginald, but I’m missing a lot of how I know these names.”

“Holy fuck, okay.”

“Who is Isla?” he demanded again. “Somebody I should know, this is obvious.”

“We’ll get to that,” Harlow swore as Kult entered.

“She bought it for now.”

“Bought what?” Quantum ordered. “Who is she?”

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