She forced herself to drink half a bottle of the icy glacial water, the cold

large, ornate pot containing the withered, dead hus

ked in her m

, she tried to remember the feeling, the flow of energy she used to command in her

ght appeared at her fingertips. It was like a dy

plant rem

ntense dizziness washed over her, and a sha

ody is in a state of starvation. Forcibly attempting to use abilities has re

reality was stark and unavoidable. Without a high-level energy source

r something far more basic. She needed to buy food, or she

the star-brain. Her gaze fell upon

cess. An entire wall of limited-edition couture gowns, diamo

bies. The star-brain immediately scanned it. Korm

spend a fortune on a useless bag but wouldn't spare fift

sic hacking skills she'd learned in the apocalypse, she routed her IP address throug

n photos, and posted them with a short, cold description. She pric

rned to Shane with the two nutrient p

did you get those?" he demanded, his voice laced w

were different, Shane," he said quietly. "The usual madness w

p. She wants to watch us b

Instead, he quietly slipped one of the nutrient pa

sting with a mixture of hunger and anxiety. The listings ha

message. The buyer's ID was "Glitter_Queen

cheap unless they're stolen. Or unless you're tha

tion was so toxic it was even affecting the second-han

business English. "I am the private assistant to a corporate executive.

ttitude softened slightly, but then came the lowball offer

made Janna's knuckles turn white as she clenched her fist. But the gnawin

typed her reply. "Deal.

e. A notification appeared on the screen: 5,000 credits

her li