His hand moves around my waist, slipping on the silver fabric. It reminds me of when I danced with Nazarin, and I flinch from that memory. I put my arms up around his neck. He’s six inches taller than me, even with my heels. We move in time to the music.

“Ah, little Tila,” he says. “What a relief. After that Test I know all about you.”

His words are ominous rather than reassuring. I look into his eyes as he dances. I can’t see any sign that he doesn’t think I’m Tila, but I’m still nervous. We’re similar, my sister and I, but our personalities are not identical. I’m also sure the Ratel have looked up Tila’s file and know she has a twin, and I have to hope they know the twin is meant to have a different face.

We dance to the music, soft and steady. It’s almost hypnotic. Ensi knows just where to put his feet, just how to move. Before long, he bends his head down to kiss me, and I open my mouth to his. His mouth is warm and sweet, tasting of spices and whiskey. He’s surprisingly gentle for the crime lord of the city, yet firm. He wants me. And he expects to get me.

It occurs to me again that I still have time to change my mind. Draw away and shake my head and smile, reach for some whiskey. I could say I was unwell or on my period. I don’t. I’m choosing to kiss him.

There are several things that keep me kissing him. One: sex is a way to get to understand him better, to see him in a state of vulnerability. Two: these are his personal chambers, or one set of them. I’m pretty sure Alex Kynon is actually one of his (several) aliases. There could be something in here I need. There are wallscreens. I’ve brainloaded a lot of information on hacking during the last few days. If he trusts me, it will make it all the easier for me to get what I need from him. Three: he’s a good kisser and I’m surprisingly into it. Four: it’s what Tila would do.

It’s risky, though. For all I’m close with my sister, we’re not close enough that I know exactly how she has sex. I have to hope we’re similar enough. Another thought of Nazarin and Tila together. Such strange, inverted parallels. Stop. Nothing happened. Let that go. Focus on the here and now.

His arms move lower, and I can feel the strength in his fingertips. Perhaps I enjoy the danger. Perhaps I’m more like Tila than I thought.

He picks me up, presses me against him. His hair tickles my face. I wrap my arms and legs around him and he carries me to the sofa.