Nazarin and I discussed our plan over and over before I left. We’ll take different MUNI trains, arriving at Union Square at different times from different directions. We’ll enter the party nearly together, though. Tila and Skel have been seen flirting with each other at previous parties, so we can act friendly, but won’t linger together too much. Nazarin is hoping to network, and speak to one of the discontented members of the Ratel, try to become closer to him. He tells me the name, keeping his promise not to hold anything back: it’s Leo, the man that Tila wrote about in her notes.

My objective is to do the Test, try not to die, and find out what happens at the next level of the Ratel.

No big deal.

Nazarin appears on my right. I’m waiting for him beneath the pillar of the Dewey Memorial. Far above him, the young woman balances on one toe, holding her wreath and trident.

He pauses. “You look nice.”

“Thanks.” He saw me leave with my coat, but I have it unbuttoned in the warm evening. I must have tried on all the clothes I’d taken from Tila’s place three times before I decided on an outfit. In the end I chose a form-fitting silver zip-up catsuit that covers me from neck to wrists to built-in heels. According to Tila’s notes, I’m meant to attract attention at these things. Here’s hoping no one misses me, looking like a human-shaped disco ball from space.

“Have you ever been here before?” I ask, jerking my head in the direction of the Xanadu.

“No.”

“And you think both the King and Queen will be there?”

“They’re meant to be.”

Ensi is the named leader of the Ratel, but if the chess analogy is to be carried on, the Queen is the most important player. She’s the one who does the dirty work and takes out the other pieces, if need be. I recall Tila’s sketch of her, the beautiful woman with long dark hair, a sardonic smile and a cruel glint to her eye.

“OK,” Nazarin says. “It’s nearly time.”

“Right.”

He reaches out and grips my shoulder. “We’re in this together. You’ve prepared for this as much as you can. You can do this.”

“You have more faith in me than I do.”

A short smile. “I have no doubt you can do this. You’re tough as nails.”

His words hearten me, as they are meant to. I watch him walk away, counting in my head.

Then I follow him, my silver heels clicking along the sidewalk.