Unity by Carl Stubblefield (epub read online books TXT) 📕

factorial multiplier based on quantity of songs in series. Song chains have a cooldown of 24 hrs through host levels 20-30.

Crystalize by Lindsay Stirling. Song Chain Anchor.

Dubstep. No—violin dubstep! Always good to get him in a good mood, even though his friends razzed him about it. Time to kick some ass! As he sped off, the island faded to a blip on the horizon.

Prime stood outside the impressive house, looking up at the long walk to the front door. She wasn’t going back to the Faction. Whether she wanted to or not, that aspect of her life was changed. But it took away the biggest obstacle to seeing her daughter again. With nothing to threaten her, they couldn’t do anything to her anymore. She could begin to rebuild a normal connection with her daughter.

She rang the doorbell and it was answered shortly by an elderly gentleman, his lips permanently held in a frowning expression of disdain. “Oh, it’s you…”

“Eldon, get Harlan or Elaine. I need to speak with them.”

“Do you have an app—”

“GET. THEM. NOW,” Prime said in a tone that brooked no argument. His eyes flashed wide and he scuttled back inside the house. She could hear a heated exchange occur inside, then Elaine’s irritated voice:

“Fine! I’ll deal with it. Like I always have to…”

Elaine threw the door open, obviously just waking up even though it was well past 10 AM.

Prime had never seen her without makeup before, and the woman definitely needed it. Her eyebrows were practically non-existent and her skin looked plastic and paper thin. Hair extensions were clearly visible in her thin, unkempt hair. Her eyes appeared excessively tiny and sunken as well, though they glared in irritation at seeing her nemesis there. Eldon must not have told her who was at the door, or she probably wouldn’t have answered.

“According to our court-ordered agreement, I am here to exercise my parental visitation rights,” Prime stated resolutely.

Elaine just opened her mouth like a fish out of water, exasperated until her shrill voice finally found its footing. “You think you can just come in here and take Madeline? No! You have to make arrangements. This is all highly irregular, and we can’t disturb her schedule. You will have to come back another day when she is prepared—”

“Elaine, just stop.” Prime raised her hand, her curved nails extending as she flexed her forearm. “You and I both know that you and Harlan have not kept your end of the bargain as it pertains to visitation rights.”

“Maybe I need to make a phone call then, hmm?” Elaine said offhandedly, fishing out her Flik phone from her baggy pink robe. She fumbled to find it, then peered back at Prime in challenge.

That tactic had worked in the past, but no more. She was free! This woman couldn’t hurt her anymore. She saw the crow’s feet on the woman’s face, and took in the wrinkles that appeared on her forehead as the threat fell flat.

“Don’t think I won’t call,” she faltered, as Prime just waited and stared.

“Please do.”

“You think I’m bluffing, don’t you? Well, this is out of my hands now.” She put the phone to her ear. “Yes, I’d like to speak with someone in management. I have to report something about someone working for you.”

Prime just stood there, totally calm.

“Yes, the super working for you named Prime has been harboring a secret. She’s really a hybrid and hides her identity.” Elaine stared back, pursing her lips. Eyes accusing Prime, you made me do this!

Still Prime stood there, unflappable.

“You really don’t know anyone at Purple Faction, do you?” she said softly to Elaine who held out a finger, demanding she not be interrupted.

“Yes, I’ll tell her,” a smug smile plastered on her ugly face as she slid the phone back into her pocket.

“They’re sending someone to detain you, so you had better get out of here—”

“Just stop.”

“If you want to be taken into custody, that’s your business,” she turned and tried to retreat inside the door. Prime’s hand shot out and kept the door open.

“One thing you may not know. See these cute pink ears? They have enhanced hearing, Elaine. I know you just pretended to make that call. You weren’t talking to anyone. And to think all this time you were talking out of your ass.” Prime shook her head in disbelief. “How much wasted time…”

“When Harlan hears about this…”

“That coward?” Prime’s voice turned predatory. “Let him try. When I report how you two have obstructed me from having regular visits with my daughter, I’m sure they might rearrange the current arrangements to be more in my favor. Be my guest. I welcome any chance to sort out this… situation that you’ve both created.”

“B-b-but you have virtual visitation rights anytime,” she said weakly.

“Which you and Harlan limit or outright lie about when you say she’s not available.” Prime tapped an ear. “Remember, enhanced hearing. You think I couldn’t hear Maddy asking in the background, ‘Who’s on the vid?’ Any mother knows the sound of her child. Even in a crowd. Especially a mother who is being kept away from them.” Prime leaned in close with feral intensity in her eyes. “And that stops now. From here on out, expect to see a lot more of me.” She reached out a finger to push Elaine’s chest but stopped just short, seeing the glint of her razor-sharp nail fully extended.

Elaine looked down her bulbous nose at the tip of her finger, eyes wide in alarm then squinting. “You think you can come to my house and threaten me?” Elaine leaned forward until the claws tip pushed into her skin, dimpling the over-freckled flesh there.

“Oh, it’s not a threat. It’s a promise. And if you doubt anything I can do, just ask Harlan, he’ll let you know what I’m capable of. I’m not with Purple Faction anymore, so the choke collar is off, and you don’t want to know what happens when you try to grab a tiger by the tail.”