One advantage of her status was the effect it had on those around her. The requests of the woman deemed responsible for the economic success of the Facility were usually met with hurried, breathless compliance.
‘You know the name of my pub? You’re full of surprises tonight.’ Kira crouched beside Azrael, whose concentration had not wavered from the TV during the entire conversation. She looped her sound arm through his. ‘Come on, big guy, we’ve got a hot date.’
He did not look at her as he allowed her to help him to his feet, all the while still mesmerised by a car commercial. A dance of nerves erupted beneath Blake’s skin at the thought of discovering exactly what Azrael was, what her carapace contained. She opened the front door, standing behind it to stay out of view of anyone passing by outside. ‘You have your cell phone, I assume?’
Kira nodded, black curls bobbing. ‘Sure do, Secret Squirrel. Ready to complete the mission. Wait, hang on a second, how the fuck do you know the Wheel and Barrow is quiet on a Tuesday night? Tell me it’s not the same way you knew I was in Greece last year.’
‘Just go, Kira.’ This had taken too long. Her absence from the lower levels could not be hidden forever by Rossiter.
‘Not going to fucking happen.’
Kira stood just inside the threshold with Azrael on her arm. He twisted his head, trying to keep a view of the TV. And Kira made no attempt to move, her expression defiant.
Blake gave in. ‘I have access to the surveillance equipment in the Wheel and Barrow. I understand you think that’s wrong, but it’s a security measure to protect the Facility. A precaution. Alcohol loosens tongues, and we can ascertain what, if any, classified information is leaking out into the public arena.’
‘What information did you need when you watched me having sex by the pool?’
‘I told you. Just your whereabouts. The viewing was as unfortunate for our tech as it was for you. I can assure you.’
‘I can assure you, you are fucked up. Most sisters just call if they want to know where you are.’
‘Kira, stop. I need your help.’ Blake clutched the door hard. ‘Can you just do this, no smart mouth? No bullshit?’
She braced for the inevitable retort, but it didn’t come. Kira stepped up close. Far too close.
‘I’ll do it because I think you are losing your shit,’ she said softly. ‘And anything that might piss off Captain Nex and Tamas is high on my to-do list. But promise me you will never, ever dress an android in our dad’s stuff again, Blake, and we are good.’ Kira nodded at the sneakers on Az’s feet. Scuffed black running shoes with a faded orange symbol on the heels. ‘You said you threw out all his things.’
An odd prickling teased the backs of Blake’s eyes. ‘Those shoes are all I retained. Just go, Kira. I’ll call you. Don’t forget to take the faux skin for your arm.’
Blake kept her gaze lifted, focused on her sister. Concealing the limb that had made Kira, and indeed herself, a B-grade celebrity was certainly prudent. If this went as Blake intended, they would not remain at the Wheel and Barrow.
‘Blake, I’m sorry you’re hurting so much. You need to –’
‘Go!’ Blake shouted. Azrael jerked against Kira’s hold. ‘Go, Kira.’
Anger brightened Kira’s amber eyes. ‘And they say I’m the messed-up one. Fuck you, Blake. We’re gone.’
She slammed the door, and the prints hanging either side shuddered against the wall. Blake slid to her knees, resting her head against the cool wood. It was done. She curled her trembling hands against her chest and waited for the panic to subside.
Kira - 10
Kira knew better than to stare at the steering wheel. It always made her want to heave, watching the smooth leather rotate back and forth as the automated car navigated its way to a destination. Her guts were saying, look away, but her head was too busy trying to work out her sister’s deal. True to Blake’s word, Gwen the wonder tech had met them and herded both Kira and Az into the vehicle, waving them past security after a few words to the guards. Kira dragged her gaze from the shifting wheel and up to the rearview mirror. Azrael still lay where he’d fallen, draped across the back seat like some Roman emperor, knees up, one arm resting in the footwell. His hoodie rode up, pulling the white T-shirt beneath with it, exposing his honey-coloured belly. The view was, admittedly, not terrible.
‘She’s lost it. My sister is certified.’ Kira sat in the front passenger seat, sneakers kicked off, bare feet up on the dash. ‘Did you see her face? Looked like the fucking hounds of hell were chasing her. The girl who doesn’t flinch in thunderstorms, didn’t bat an eyelid when that earthquake hit last year, is flipping out over you.’
For most of the twenty-minute journey, Az had stared at the ceiling as though its beige surface were the roof of the goddamn Sistine Chapel.
‘I feel like I should feed you grapes or something. Sit up, dude.’ She swivelled in her seat, reaching for him, aiming for his exposed skin. Couldn’t help herself. Those stomach curves looked as though they’d feel velvety. She loved velvet. Her metal fingertips found faux skin.
‘Oh shit.’
Contact was deliciously unpleasant, like hot wax on bare skin, before it jolted into something not so great – a shock of electricity shooting up her arm, and a blurring in her vision. Kira ripped her hand away, settling back on her haunches. Azrael sat bolt upright, his head knocking the roof.
‘What the fucking hell was that shit?’ Kira shook her metal limb. It tingled. No. Not tingled. It vibrated. Hummed like a dildo on low speed. ‘Okay. Weirdness has gone to defcon five. What did you just do, robo-boy?’
She pressed her arm against her belly, her breathing coming in short
