Hard Wired Trilogy by DeAnna Pearce (smart books to read .TXT) 📕

“Of course. But aren’t they going to trace where my money went to?” Money didn’t matter to her right now, but she didn’t want to get Vinh in trouble if she could help it.

“He can run it through the center under gaming or something. And this way, you can have a conversation instead of a message.”

Ari grabbed a nearby chair, and after moving the pile of junk on it to the nearby table, pulled it up next to Vinh. “How are we going to reach her?”

“Through her game. She’s on it nightly. Just ask for a private room.”

After adjusting the headset, she put in an extra pair of gaming contacts he had and wrist sensors. He planned on joining the game too with his own gear.

“Are you familiar with the game? It’s a basic RPG.”

“Yeah, I’ve played before.” She turned on the game and her world changed around her. Tessa’s game wasn’t as immersive as a VR, but with excellent graphics, it was the closest thing to it.

Ari and Vinh dropped in the game atop of a cliff. Below them, a battle raged on: above them, a dark icy mountain with mysterious challenges. The choices were clear: prove oneself in battle or fight your fears of the unknown in the mountains above. Each of them were an elf type species with basic armor they could only upgrade after they earn enough points. They picked the elves because they were simple characters to create with decent speed and fighting ability.

Vinh, looking particularly tall and muscular, turned in her direction. “Hurry and request the audience with the King.”

“Of course.” She tapped her wrist on the table in front of her to access her menu. She sent a message to Tessa, or King Vega, requesting an audience. The subject held the word Oya in all caps. Hundreds of people requested an audience; she just hoped Tessa saw hers before midnight.

When she returned to the game, Vinh’s sword was drawn as he faced the mountain. “Some people decided against the mountain and are on their way back down to battle.”

Three Fae creatures hurried down the slope. One looked like a tree sprite, the other two’s green skin had Ari guessing earth sprites. She didn’t play the game enough to know for sure what happened if she died in here. They just had to survive until Tessa got their message. Ari didn’t have time to wait for re-entrance to the game and send a new message from a whole new character if she died.

Vinh took point and obviously had enough hours gaming to handle himself. The tree sprite ducked left and headed straight for Ari. Sword out, she cut towards him. While slicing off one of his limbs, another branch reached out and cut her from behind. Stupid.

She stepped out of range and held a more defensive position. This time she saw the extra limb as she feigned then changed direction. Unfortunately, the tree sprite stepped out of range. Before it could strike again, it fell in a pile of ash at Ari’s feet, along with the Fae that Vinh was fighting.

“What the—”

Vinh couldn’t finish his sentence before they were both sucked into a meeting with his Highness, or hers, really. Ari wondered why Tessa had picked the title of King, but it didn’t matter. Her androgynous character sat upon the throne with long purple hair tied in a braid on her shoulder. Her sharp, oversized features looked masculine, but the long eyelashes and gold nails that matched her crown held a feminine touch.

“What brings you to my realm, dear Oya?” Tessa continued to use Ari’s old gamer name, which made her believe this game may not be secure. Ari could play along.

“My family is missing.”

“Are you sure?”

“At least from my end they are.”

Tessa stood and came down from her throne, a tall golden staff in hand. A slight sparkling illusion surrounded her body. Sick of the illusions, Ari wished to talk to Tessa face to face, just like she had for hours on end when they were roommates at school. “Can you cut these out?” Ari motioned to her costume.

“Sorry. This is a program, not a VR. I have not coded your real body and I don’t care to do mine.”

“I don’t mind,” Vinh said, sitting in a nearby velvet chair.

“Of course you like it, you look like a porn star.” Ari rolled her eyes.

“Back at you.”

“Whatever.” Ari turned to Tessa. “Have you been in contact with my brother?”

“Not recently. A week ago, when I talked to him, he was going into deep hiding. Maybe out of the country. I gave him some money.”

The pressure on Ari’s chest lightened. “Really?”

“Yes. He offered to work it off in romantic favors, but I declined.”

“Sounds like Marco.” Ari took a seat in a nearby chair, some of the stress and worry melting off her shoulders. Maybe VisionTech was right. If they can’t find him, then neither could anyone else.

“He usually checks in every couple weeks or so. Want me to pass anything along?”

“I’ll forward you some money. Just tell him to stay out of trouble.”

“Don’t think that’s Marco’s style.”

“True.” Ari chuckled thinking of all the trouble Marco got in as a child. She turned to Tessa, grateful for all she had done. “Thanks for your help. You work for your dad now?”

“After I was kicked out of school, I focused on my brand. After my dad saw my sales, he offered me my own division.” She rolled her eyes as she absently spun her staff. “Now it’s one of the most profitable divisions. Wife Number Four is hating me right now. It’s great.”

“Not to interrupt, but we need to go,” Vinh said. “I don’t want to push our luck.”

“Alright.” Ari turned back to Tessa. “What’s the best way to stay in touch with you? I can’t make this a regular thing, staying in Vinh’s room this late.”

Tessa stared at the engravings on her gold staff. “Do you have access to an elite VR?”

Ari glanced at