The Astral Hacker (Cryptopunk Revolution Book 1) Brian Terenna (best novels to read to improve english txt) 📖

I stand there for a second, completely unprepared for the affection. My face flushes when I realize it’s pressed between her boobs. I hesitantly squeeze her back. It feels strange to be touched, but at the same time, natural.

“I can’t believe some scumbag mugged you,” she says. “Didn’t you want to go to the hospital? Or don’t you have money?”

“The pain is no worse than I’ve felt a half-dozen other times. It won’t slow me down,” I say with more confidence than I feel.

Blaze looks me up and down, shaking her head. “You are StarFeather.”

Pride rises inside me, despite my weariness.

“I’ll do my best to doctor you myself, but we both know how little medical experience I have. Then you can rest while I make you food.”

My mouth waters at the thought of real food.

She takes me into the bathroom and removes a medical kit. She gently washes my cuts, then covers them with waterproof bandages. “I have a towel here for a shower, which you probably want.”

I look down at my dirty, ripped shorts and shirt and catch a whiff of rotting apple. It would be nice.

“Let me get some clothes for you.”

She returns a moment later and lays out shorts and a T-shirt. “You’ll need this too,” she says, holding up a belt before leaving.

I comb the knots out of my hair, then step into the luxuriously warm shower, letting my recent nightmares wash away with the dirt.

I walk back to the living room, dressed in Blaze’s baggy clothes.

She exits the kitchen and looks me over. “Not the best fit, but we’ll get you more clothes. Your hair looks much better, though. I’m cooking some veggie burgers. Lie down in here until I’m done,” she says, walking me to her bedroom.

A round pillow with a lotus flower image rests on the ground near the wall. Partially burnt candles encircle it. On one side, a flowing fountain trickles water next to a tall green Buddha.

Interesting. She’s into meditation like my father was. I don’t know much about her since we mostly talked about programming and the game.

I slide by her partially open closet and glance inside at her clothes.

Her eyes widen, and she pushes it shut. “Here you go,” she says, motioning to the bed. “Just relax, and I’ll bring the food to you.” She leaves.

I smile, and warmth ripples through me. She’s just as kind as she was online.

I place Sunny’s bag, which is now our only bag, down next to the bed. “Sunny, stay next to me and enter sleep mode to be safe. I’m going to lie down for a minute.”

As I crawl into bed, my eyes catch an image of the letter A, overlapping a circle that’s printed on her sheets. I wonder what that is.

☼☼☼

Two demons tower over me. The smaller one is twisted with a skeletal face. The other is huge and ominous, with icy blue eyes that radiate evil. The Archfiend.

A crackling fire roars in the fireplace pouring forth stifling heat. Sweat clings to my shivering body.

“The truth. Give me the truth,” the Archfiend growls.

I shrink back, hoping to disappear.

He leans in and opens his mouth inhumanly wide, finger-long fangs protruding from his black gums.

My mind tells me to run or hide, but my body is frozen.

With each moment, he seems to grow. His face is flushed and twisted in rage. I wilt under his power.

“Tell me the truth.”

The fury in his voice pries open my stubborn mouth. I don’t want to say the words; I know what that will mean. I can’t resist, though, and I spill the secret.

The shadowy figure to my left lets out a pitiful moan.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

The fleshy demon reaches out a clawed hand and shoves me.

My eyes bolt open, and I jerk my head side to side. My heart pounds, and I gulp in air. This isn’t the house I broke into. I reach for my knife before I remember that I lost it as I try to figure out where I am. Oh. Blaze’s house. She’s nowhere to be seen, but Sunny is still in sleep mode next to the bed.

My heart slows, and I stretch, feeling reborn after the long sleep. My stomach growls. I guess I missed lunch and dinner yesterday.

I test my ankle by doing a quick walk around the room, and it feels much better. I flop back on the bed. “Chim, check the news.” I scan through various articles that pop up.

‘President of the RSA vows harsh response to three-hundred-billion in US tech tariffs and boycott of Neurôdados products.’

Looks like the trade war is heating up. I wish they’d leave it be before things get worse.

‘Scientist claims that there is a society of humans living inside the Earth.’

They must be reading too much fantasy.

‘The proposed legislation for employment quotas for norms expected to pass by a landslide.’

Finally, something good for people.

‘US Olympic course shooting team, led by Alexander Fiore called ‘The Dream Team’ by former gold medalist.’

A knock at the door.

“Yes?”

“It’s me, Blaze. I made breakfast for you.”

“Come in,” I say excitedly. Even though I took care of myself most of my life. It’s nice to have someone do it.

She puts down a tray with two plates of bagels with hummus and fried sweet potatoes. “I made some extra for you. You must be hungry.”

Aww, it’s something Barbra would have done. “Yum. Thanks.”

She smiles, sits down next to me, and we start to eat.

“So, what’s your real name?” she asks.

“Fae Luna.”

“Ooo. I like that. You sound mystical.”

I laugh, feeling more comfortable around her.

“I’m Naveha, but since we’re friends, you can call me Nav.”