The hybrid song haunted the city for days.
It wasn’t loud enough to be heard everywhere, but those who listened really listened found themselves drawn toward the enclaves. Ryker felt it constantly now. The Code had stopped pushing and started coaxing, weaving suggestions into his thoughts during quiet moments. Protect them. Guide them. Build with them. Every time he looked at Lira, the urge grew stronger. Their bond was the key. Their pleasure was the catalyst.
They stayed on the move, never in one place more than two nights. The rooftop loft was compromised after the plaza visit. Their new shelter was a half-flooded basement beneath an old medical center damp, cold, but defensible. It did nothing to dampen the fire between them.
On the first night there, they barely spoke.
Lira pulled
