Page 25 of Even Robots Die
“Charles will arrange something,” I tell her before walking away.
I need to be outside of this room. I need to be out of her reach or more precisely, she needs to be out of my reach, because I don’t know what is happening.
I can’t recognize what my body or mind is going through.
Or, quite the opposite. I can recognize it too well and that shouldn’t be possible.
The birds made a machine out of me. A killing machine. One that isn’t supposed to feel pain or warmth. I even struggle to eat because nothing tastes the same anymore.
So why is my body suddenly waking up for the exact person I should stay away from?
She might be my prisoner here, but first and foremost she’s a human who builds weapons specifically made to kill my kind. She made a living out of guns and other gadgets that are made to destroy us.
Those bombs the birds used during the rebellion a few days ago, the ones that stunned everyone and made all the shifters with wings fall to the ground? It’s not hers exactly, but I know it’s based on her work. And all those serums the humans now have to prevent us from changing forms? I’m pretty sure her super AI found the way to make those.
I could be wrong about that one for sure, but I know she’s covered in weapons. I didn’t need to put my hands on her body to see it. She’s an arsenal all by herself.
I should make sure she’s not wearing them anymore.
The only reason she still has all those weapons on her is the fact I have no idea if they’re part of her outfit or if they’re something she adds to it.
And I can’t force her to get rid of her clothes when I didn’t stock her closet with the right kind of clothes.
I only met her once, and as much as I remember the fire in her eyes, I didn’t remember much of her physique. I remembered she was curvy, but I must have miscalculated, because I know for sure she won’t fit what was in the closet, which is currently being updated.
Because, yes, I know I messed up, but I know how to recognize it—I can’t really feel anything like pride currently, so that might help—and above all, I know how to correct it.
I also know when I need to stay away from someone.
And there’s one thing I know for sure.
I need to stay away from Florentine Beaumont like my life depends on it.
Except, my life might also depend on being close to her.
I hate that mess.
Well, actually I only really just dislike it.
16
Florentine
Brice disappeared like I was suddenly poisonous.
Good riddance.
What do I do now, though?
I leave the doomed room as fast as I can, but it still doesn’t tell me what I’m supposed to do now.
They woke me up early just to take my breakfast with the grumpy asshole and now I have a full day in front of me, but none of my material. They want me to repair or build something, but I don’t have what’s necessary.
Brice didn’t even ask what I would need to do, what he wants me to do.
I wander down the corridor and open all the unlocked doors I find. Most of them are storage rooms, but I find a few unoccupied bedrooms and another room that looks even creepier than the mad scientist lab. It has jars of body parts soaking in alcohol and I almost lose my breakfast.
After that, I try to find my way back to my room and turn on my holo.
