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way too much craving behind that smile. His gaze travels over the sheer netting part of her outfit. Why did Valac dress her this way, knowing we were coming here? I want even more to pay out personally to the congressman.
    “As I mentioned,” Valac says, “Lirium is a new addition to our team. This is his first time transferring to such an esteemed client, so we’ll have Ophelia supervising at first. Then she’ll handle the rest of the transfer by herself.”
    I force a smile onto my face. I don’t like this at all.
    “Congressman Mayer,” Ophelia says. “Would you like to have a seat?”
    She’s all smiles, which I like even less. The oversized bed is the only place to sit. Mayer grins and perches on the edge. Ophelia’s stiletto heels click as she follows him. He watches every step.
    I’m wondering if I can transfer to him at all without punching him.
    Ophelia hooks a finger, beckoning me. Valac takes that as his cue and guides Katy from the room. She seems reluctant to leave. I’m not the only one who’s worried about Mayer’s intentions.
    “We’ll do it just like before, Lirium,” Ophelia says, taking my hand and placing it on Mayer’s forehead. It doesn’t have a wrinkle on it, and it’s cool under my buzz-heated hand.
    Ophelia lays her hand on the back of mine. I slip my free hand around her waist and pull her closer. Just because I don’t want Mayer to do it. She gives me a quizzical look, probably wondering why I’m being such a Neanderthal. I’m not quite sure myself. There’s not much danger of her getting hurt by Mayer—she could easily kill us both in the position we are right now, all skin-to-skin and vulnerable. And it’s not like I have any claim on Ophelia: she’s made it pretty clear she’s not looking for more than the occasional make-out from me, and I’m an idiot for wanting even that. She betrayed me. Trapped me in the mob with her. But I can’t help thinking that if I could just drag her away from Kolek, all that would change.
    As if I could force Ophelia to do anything.
    “Start the transfer slow,” she says quietly, her face turned so her words are a whisper of breath on my face. “I’ll show you how to open it wider.”
    I know she means the transfer spigot, but for some reason my mind gropes at innuendos. Probably the sexy way she says it, all simmering heat in her words. She’s playing it up for Mayer, all part of the payout he’s paying for.
    I grit my teeth, but nod and start the transfer.
    I’ve never paid much attention to my payout rate before, but after two hours of carefully controlled collecting, I can feel it now: the portal can be controlled both ways, collecting and paying out. Ophelia nudges it a little wider and I follow her lead.
    Shadows crowd the edge of my vision. The knot in my stomach ties so tight it’s difficult to breathe. My hand curls under Ophelia’s, clawing at Mayer’s youthful shock of brown hair. The payout is faster than I’ve done before, with the exception of Dr. Brodsky and that was uncontrolled. And a mercy hit, so it felt good, not this taste of death that’s heaving my stomach.
    The buzz shows up in Mayer’s face. His lips part, a small smile creeping on them, and his breath is hot on my arm. His gaze is making a meal out of Ophelia’s body, sandwiched between us. My hand at her waist has reflexively cramped tighter, which is a good thing, or I might be punching the congressman after all.
    “Relax, baby.” She pries off my grip with her free hand. “Your body reacts to the payout, just like a collection in reverse. You have to relax into it. Don’t fight the payout, and your body won’t respond to it quite so much.”
    I try to do what she says. Usually I push the life energy into a payout; now I focus on keeping the spigot small and letting the life energy flow rather than be forced.
    It works.
    The darkness crowding my mind eases a little. I’m still paying out at the same rate, but my hand on Mayer’s head