“Because actives need a place to let it loose.When Cas and I were in Uradda, we were watched every minute of every day.We only learned about Ava when they brought us out for assessments.Nigel was a complete surprise.”
Jienne murmured, “So, you all escaped together?”
“Yes, and no.We escaped at the same time but not together.It wasn’t until we all ended up in the special actives foster care centre that we laughed and hugged.Even Nigel.”
“You were children.”
“Yes.”
“You broke out anyway.”
“Absolutely.They were trying to make another Blade of Uradda.We didn’t want that to happen, so we left.Ava and Nigel had the same idea.It just happened to be on the same night at the same time.We split the guards and made a run for it.”
Jienne asked, “How did you do that as children?”
“We had no choice.One of us was about to be tortured as an incentive for the other to do their best, and then they were going to switch and see which one of us would make the right energy signature.”
“Oh.I am sorry.”
“It was what it was.We are here now.We are safe, and we are doing well.”
“You live with Avagail?”
“All of us live here.There are multiple wings to the house.My wardrobe is just there because I bought it myself before the BDC took off.I lost my position as an escort, so I took my equipment home.”
“Your clothing.”
“The only equipment an escort needs aside from their own body.”
Jienne blushed.“Yeah, I am not sure about that.”
“You know the masks?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you know where they came from?”They were weaving through traffic gracefully.
“From the necessity of hiding the patron’s identities.”
“If we just wanted that, we could make them wear the masks.No.Ancient cultures like the Bennari use heavy makeup for their courtesans.The covering covered blushes and gave anonymity to the courtesans, male or female.The masks were built on that, and I used the memory frequency that I emit to blur the memories of the night.So we copied that and built it into the masks.”
“How did he follow me?”Jienne wrapped her arms around herself.“He wasn’t supposed to be able to follow me.”
“The BDC location is a well-known secret, and he just followed your transport.The security of the building held.”
Jienne nodded.“Right.It did.”
Keska drove through the traffic and took them to the Dekkar live range.“Have you ever been to a live range before?”
“No.”
“It’s sort of like an escape room but with the option for live rounds or using an activation.It is a lot of fun to watch.”
“I am a little nervous.”
“Don’t worry.I’ve got you.You won’t be on your own no matter what.”
“Thanks.”
