"We dove headfirst into digital communications. "Your part is pretty easy. We need access to your network. Gotta be supersecure, though. And we need t...he highest levels of reliability as well." I have a very secure and reliable network," he said. "Especially after the fire in our data room a few weeks back." Central location?" Yep. Just sort of grew that way." And you're diversifying now?" Oh, yeah."We had a pretty good day, he and I. I saw physical installations, talked about how we needed to. I stole a quick look at my watch, and as if it was a signal, the room light turned on. I looked straight ahead, knowing I was illuminated in its glow, so I felt inside my bag and took out my cigarettes, lit one and waited.I stole a look either side and the streets were dark and deserted, so I settled into the corner of the shelter, and waited for him to appear.When he did, he looked across at me in the shelter, paused, then gave me a wave, and I responded by waving back, and was rewarded by him. “I’m kind of scared and nervous right now. Maybe they won’t like me.”“I’m sure you’ll do fine,” Nancy assured their new friend. About ten minutes after they sat down a black sedan pulled up. A short barrel-chested man stepped out. The man’s hat was pulled down low as if he didn’t want to be recognized. He saw the girls and walked up to them.“Are any of you called Brianna Colby?”“I’m Brianna Colby,” said the teenager.“I wasn’t told to expect four of you but more the merrier, heh heh.” His smile. She must be blank. If not, the mages might sense her and her intent. The level of focus was peaceful in a way and a gift from Her. She knew her purpose now as all with her did. They writhed until near dawn with the creatures and one another until her muscles ached and her tongue was numb. Once they were given new purpose however, the fatigue vanished as though it had never been. The hardest part was peeling herself from them all, even if it was so she could obey. Even the word was delicious..