Somnia Online by K.T. Hanna (reading strategies book txt) 📕

hands. He knew she could have kept the list in her interface, but apparently that wasn’t something she liked to do. “So, just to be clear, when this mystery thing that they’re doing happens, will they retain access to their guild storage, or will I have to make an exception and figure out another way to provide them with enough stores to last this unspecified raid? Have I thanked you for all of the specificities I’ve been given?” She added the last with a sweet edge to her voice, her large eyes twinkling.

Oh, she was clever. The luna knew something was up. She probably knew that not even Telvar or his siblings could give a clear answer on the damned dungeon. “I’ll check, but you might want some extra storage just in case. Just to be prepared.”

Neva nodded, her eyes narrowing as she put a pen in her mouth and chewed. “Hm. Okay. I can shift a few things around, and it should work, but…” She raised her eyes and studied him. “So, you’re all going with them too, right?”

Her tone made it seem like she already knew the answer anyway. And, of course, she did. But confirmation always helped.

Telvar had to debate how to correctly answer the question. He could tell her, but what if the information leaked out? “We will join them, although we do not know quite how far yet.” There. That seemed like a good compromise.

Neva, if it was possible, narrowed her eyes even further until they were slits. “You know, Tel, you might be all programmy and such, but I’m a canine in this form, and I swear I can smell a lie from ten paces.”

Telvar locked gazes with her for a moment and was the first one to glance away. “You know, Neva, that facade you put on is extremely effective.”

“Facade?” She grinned at him, “Why, whatever do you mean?”

Behind him, Emilarth laughed. “She’s got you there, Tel. That’s brilliant. Can we keep her?”

Rolling his eyes, Telvar laughed too. The day was going to be far too long without a bit of laughing at himself. “Fine. You win. Suffice it to say that we will be there should they need us.”

“Perfect.” Neva noted something down and checked a line off the list in her hand. “Why didn’t you say so in the first place?”

Summer Residence

Home of Laria, David, and Wren

Summer Condo

Early Morning Day Thirty-Two

Wren stood at the foot of her bed, holding her headgear in her hands, and stared at it. Harlow was finishing off getting dressed, and while she waited, Wren studied the strange device and its octopus-like arms that felt around in her hair as it tried to suck her brain out of her skull. Sometimes she swore she could feel it trying to penetrate the bone even when she wasn’t wearing it.

Okay, so it didn’t actually do that, but sometimes she felt like it did. Maybe it was just because her experience hadn’t been typical. But apparently with any modifications, the player had to be careful.

The headgear shouldn’t have been this powerful in the first place. Her headset as it was wasn’t the patent that got approved for mass production. It had been tremendously altered both outside and in. These were scientific research devices that belonged in a closely monitored lab.

I didn’t know you cared so much.

Somnia was definitely getting her own perfectly quippy personality. You really are becoming your own person. You know that, right?

If she could have seen Somnia in her room, she would have noticed she shrugged. At least, that was the sensation that ran through her brain. You’re worried. It was a statement, not a question, but it seemed like Somnia was waiting for her to answer it anyway.

Murmur sighed, glancing at the bathroom door just to make sure Harlow didn’t come out and distract her mid-talking. I want to know if I even need this headgear anymore? Should I bother putting it on?

She wanted to know that answer, so desperately, but at the same time she also didn’t. Knowing would mean she couldn’t go back. At the same time, not knowing might put herself in danger.

Somnia hesitated with the answer. And when she spoke, it seemed like she was picking her words with extra care. Look, Wren. Mur. Whichever you prefer. That headgear is wrong in many ways. Not the one that was designed originally. Not the one you should be wearing. But now it’s...well, it’s sort of attuned to you. You know?

Murmur nodded and glanced at the bathroom door again before continuing. Yeah, I get it. It’s sort of a part of me.

Yes. Eagerness filled Somnia’s sometimes still static voice. When it zapped you and pulled you in deeper than you should have dived, it sort of...

The world paused for a moment, like it was trying to find the right words, and Wren just continued to turn the device over in her hands. It was difficult to wait patiently, but she was learning that she was capable of a whole mess of things she’d never contemplated before.

As far as I can tell, the lasers are at a higher frequency in your device. They penetrated far deeper than they should have and practically fused you with the system then and there.

Wren knew she wasn’t being told everything, so she waited, irritation growing inside. Irritation that she pushed away and attempted to find that inner sanctum of serenity she’d discovered upon realizing how much damage she’d been inadvertently doing. This was information she should have had ages ago. She hated being kept in the dark.

You know you’re what woke me, right?

Wren thought on that, fairly certain she’d already known that when Somnia started to whisper to her, to make her presence known. Yeah. Yeah, I think I’d have known that either way.

You were my safe haven, and even now you are as much a part of me as I am of you.

The words settled in Wren’s stomach like a bucket of ice had been dropped