Page 81 of Like A Moth To A Flame

"This is the grid?"she asks, looking at the screen in one of the rooms we have set up in the Cocoon. The hideout. "How will it help people find shelter? A place to sleep?" She looks up.

"Here, Lillith," Ciro replies. "Underground."

She looks around and smiles. "This was the purpose of creating this place."

I smile. "Yeah, a city. Underground. Undetected." I rest my chin over her head while she looks at the grid where people can share resources they acquire for things they need. Basic cost for medicine, food, and supplies. Like a peer-to-peer network.

"How does it work?"

"In the old days, they would barter for resources. What one person has, the other needs, and so they agree, but they can't overinflate, or we cancel them."

"You mean you kick them off the grid."

"Exactly, and you know people have been starving for so long that no one will do it. They will follow the rules, or they get kicked out. Erased. Even if someone ratted us out––"

"No one would vouch for them, and they would disappear for participating in illegal activity by the Utheans."

"Exactly," I say softly.

"What about the race?" she asks.

"We race, but you lose, Pyralis," I say, using her race handle. "Don't get any funny ideas."

She steps away and turns, looking between Ciro and me. "What if I did?"

"I would have to kill everyone," I deadpan. I pull a strand of hair out of her gorgeous face. "You won't win because you care about the people as much as we do."

When Lillith leaves to tend to Niro, Ciro glances up from the screen. "It's that troll."

My eyes dart to the screen. "Her little ex-boyfriend."

Ciro nods. I smile, but it doesn't reach my eyes. Ciro swallows thickly.

"He knew where she was the whole time. He always kept a safe distance."

I push my mask off my face. "Where is he?"

Ciro pulls up the map of the mainland on the holographic screen. "He is… here." He points at the dot flashing like a beacon.

"Let’s go." I pull my gun from the holster on my back.

"What are you going to tell her?"

"That I have to go somewhere with you."

"Tell her, Kill." He pauses. "I see that look in your eye."

I pull my mask over my face. "I'm going to kill him. It doesn't matter if she wants me to or not. He's a threat and a fucking traitor."

“I get it." He places a hand on my shoulder. "But tell her."

"Tell me what?" I close my eyes when I hear her voice. Ciro moves to get Niro.

"Come on, I have something to show you." Niro smiles with fondness at Ciro. Jealousy creeps up, but I push it down. I have nothing to be jealous about, and Ciro is right. I should be honest with Lillith.

"It’s that little troll," I say when Ciro leaves the area with Niro.

"You mean Ethan?" She glances at the gun with a worried expression. "What's going on, Killian?"

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