"Do not misunderstand," Vorta said, eyes narrowing slightly as if he'd heard my thoughts. "Affection from an Emperor War Beast is not trivial."
My pride deflated like a punctured balloon.
"It is not because you are charming," he continued.
"Okay, rude," I muttered.
Nico snorted.
"It is because you resonate," Vorta said.
That made me pause.
"Resonate how?"
"With the cores."
The word landed heavy.
"The Leyline cores?" I asked.
"Yes."
The hum beneath us surged faintly in response.
"You carry its memories," Vorta said. "The fragments that integrated with your soul."
Right.
That.
The cosmic USB drive I accidentally installed.
"So you're saying I'm basically a walking hotspot?" I said weakly. "Free Wi-Fi for world-ending monsters?"
Nico laughed despite himself. "That's… not the worst analogy."
Vorta ignored us.
"The Emperor War Beasts are not loyal to individuals. They are loyal to power. To resonance. To something that mirrors their origin."
