The spin of the kleptoslug has slowed, but its forward velocity hasn’t slackened. The air thunders around them and Naomi gets a little leverage, swings up and kicks Hurley in the jaw. Not that he goes far. The klepto’s core magnet binds his bracelet as tightly as her own, and Naomi’s just glad her earrings have silver posts.

Hurley’s next punch flips her backward: they spin, and Naomi gets her first blurry look down. They’re flying parallel to the gridlocked freeway. Her nose is dripping blood, but the iron makes the drops fall sideways. Below, as they pass, the cars undomino.