Hex by Rhiannon Lassiter Page A

Raven said.
    â€œAnd you don’t know why?” Kez asked.
    â€œThe whole thing was shrouded in secrecy,” Raven told him. “Sanctioning the murder of a whole sub-strain of mutated humans is a controversial thing to do.”
    â€œDo you think they found out about what you can do?” Kez asked.
    â€œThey must have guessed that a Hex could become the ultimate hacker,” Raven said. “But I’m more than just a hacker—nothing I’ve found in the CPS’s system indicates that they know about the way I enter the net.”
    â€œRaven, an intelligent hacker would be bad enough,” Wraith said. “Computers are used all over the world. International government and finance depend on those systems being secure.”
    â€œSo they started exterminating,” Raven agreed. “Maybe before they had the chance to work out exactly how far the Hex abilities extend. That would explain why they reopened that lab—to investigate what we can actually do.” Then she slammed a hand onto the arm of the couch. “But none of this is helping me find that system.”
    â€œIf it exists, it’s meant to be secret,” Wraith pointed out. “Experimenting on humans is illegal, even Hexes.”
    â€œRaven, how would you set up a secret system?” Kez asked shyly. Raven grinned at his admiring tone of voice, then narrowed her eyes as she thought.
    â€œI’d keep it independent of the net,” she said slowly. “Accessible through only one terminal.”
    â€œCan that be done?” Wraith asked.
    â€œPerhaps.” Raven nodded. “But if that’s what the laboratory is using we won’t find out if Rachel is still alive without breaking into it.”
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    Ali studied herself in the full-length mirror. The holodress shimmered when she moved, projecting images of a flurry of rainbow crystals circling her figure. She smiled at her reflection, while the mirror doubled the swirl of phantom crystals, then swayed out of the way to avoid being squashed by Caitlin. They were in Zircarda’s parents’ apartment. All Saturday afternoon people had been arriving at the Tarrell apartment to set up for the party, and all afternoon the three girls had been dressing up. Caitlin’s glossy curls now betrayed a new hint of auburn, which contrasted vividly with her forest-green dress, made from individual leaves spun together and preserved by an artificial gelling agent. Zircarda was wearing red. Her fascination with ganger-style fashion had made her spend a huge amount of money on a genuine leather dress in a signal-flare crimson. Now she stepped in front of Caitlin to check her makeup. Ali sat back on the bed as Zircarda looked flirtatiously at her reflection through long eyelashes. Caitlin joined her and smiled conspiratorially.
    â€œI can’t wait to meet your Dad’s guests,” she whispered. “There was an item on the news today about the launch of CultRock.”
    â€œI know, I saw it,” Ali grimaced. “I just hope they won’t be playing that kind of music all evening.”
    â€œMaybe we should get a move on,” Caitlin suggested. “It’s nearly eight.”
    â€œWhat time were people supposed to arrive, Ali?” Zircarda asked casually.
    â€œStart time’s seven thirty,” Ali told her.
    â€œIt’s still a little early.” Zircarda frowned.
    â€œIt doesn’t really matter, though,” Ali reminded her. “I’m almost the hostess, aren’t I? So I can be as early as I want.”
    â€œOK, then.” Zircarda reached for her coat. “I’ll call a flitter.”
    â€œWe could walk, and be there before the flitter arrives,” Caitlin pointed out.
    â€œI think we should take a flitter,” Zircarda said firmly and the other two shrugged and agreed.
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    When they eventually got there, Ali