She looked up at him with a grin. “I always thought I might have a talent for alchemy.”

Gyre looked at the bowl. “What are you mixing?”

“Dunno.”

“What’s it going to do?”

“Not sure.”

“Is it safe?”

“We’ll find out!”

“Maybe put the vial down,” Gyre said.

“Oh, relax. Lynnia keeps the dangerous stuff locked up.”

“She keeps the expensive stuff locked up. It’s not the same thing.”

“Spoilsport,” Kit said. She put the vial down with a sigh and yawned. “Just trying to keep myself entertweeee …”

Gyre crossed the room in time to catch her as she slid off the chair. She flopped against him, giggling, and threw her arms around his neck.

“Spinning,” she said happily. “Why’re we spinning?”

“I think you’ve been breathing too much of this stuff.”

He lifted her, surprised at how little effort it took. Kit leaned on his shoulder, still giggling, as he backed out of the room and brought her upstairs. On the main floor, Lynnia was in the kitchen, stirring something as she fixed them with a baleful glare.

“Sorry,” Gyre said. “I don’t think she got into anything really terrible, but you should let it air out a little.”

“Serve her right if she blew her fool head off,” Lynnia muttered.

“Kaboom!” Kit said happily, then dissolved into another fit of giggles.

Lynnia rolled her eyes. Gyre shifted his grip and took Kit upstairs. Her head was still resting on his shoulder, and the feel of her breath against his neck was distracting. From the sly look in her eye, he suspected she knew it. When he reached his room, he deposited her on the bed, then sat heavily in his chair.

“Ooooh,” she said, bouncing a little and making the bed frame creak. “Is this where you take advantage of my helpless state to toss me on the bed and ravish me?”

“Of course not,” Gyre said.

“You sure? It’s been a long day.”

He rolled his eye. “ I don’t believe you’re helpless for a minute.”

“You’re learning.” Kit sat up, her coordination returning abruptly. “This your room? You don’t decorate much.”

“It’s just a place to sleep,” Gyre said.

“Nice of Lynnia to put up a notorious rebel,” Kit said. “What’s she getting out of it? A hot young lover? No need to be shy.”

“Lynnia,” Gyre said, maintaining his calm with an effort, “has been married twice, both times to women. You’re more her type than I am.”

“There’s a thought. Maybe then she’d let me into the interesting shelves.”

“She helps us because she believes in Yora’s cause,” Gyre said. “Freedom for the tunnelborn.”

“And you don’t,” Kit said. “Does that bother you?”

“Freedom for tunnelborn means hurting the Republic and the Order,” Gyre said. “Which means we’re on the same side.”

“Until something better comes along,” Kit said, tapping her chest with a finger.

“Kit—”