“The autonomy key hasn’t changed my feelings,” she replied. “I am so glad,” he whispered, his skin dancing with directionless energy. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you when I was in Vegas.” “I also thought about you.” She tasted salt and blood on his skin with her right hand. “Your feelings must be coming from the real you, in here.” He touched the armor over her brain lightly. “That’s why they’re not affected by autonomy programs.” Paladin chose not to repeat that autonomy was a key, not a program, and that her brain had nothing to do with what she truly desired.

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Richard