“Good luck with that. I’ve heard things…” Thane rubbed the back of his neck, ruffling his hair again. Nervous? Disgusted?

“Rumors?” I asked, trying not to sound too eager.

“No. Literally. Things. In his lab.” Thane shuddered. “He must be splicing shit in there. Humans don’t make noises like that.”

My throat contracted, but I played calm as I stepped between two rhododendron bushes. If Darren had live subjects, it was all the more reason to get to his lab as soon as possible. I just prayed Quanta was the only captive Red he had access to. Eva hadn’t mentioned any girls going missing from the list, but if Darren was somehow generating names, then it reasoned he was going after them as well.

We reached a field of raised growing beds and Thane set his drink on the lip of a trough overflowing with vines. He plucked out a basketball-sized watermelon, but held it back when I reached. “You know this is coming out of my trial, right?”

At least some good came from my family. “I’ll get you an invite to the next senatorial ball and introduce you around. My godfather chairs the Seligo selection committee.”

“Knew I liked you, Orpheus.” Thane grinned as he tossed me the fruit. “Just tell your girl not to mind the color. We spliced this batch with beets.”

“But it’s safe to eat?” In her act, Quanta would probably throw something else if she foresaw herself coming down with food poisoning. I didn’t want to get concussed by a melon.

“Nothing to worry about but extra antioxidants.” Thane led me back to the lift, making small talk. He’d worked at the facility for almost ten years, but was still pulling all-nighters, pushing toward elevation. I wished him well, but he’d never achieve his goal if I achieved mine first.

I pressed my palm to scanner at the lift. As soon as my skin touched, a red light flashed and a whining siren echoed down the corridor.

“For fuck’s sake.” Thane slapped the panel and the noise cut. “Three guesses who reset your clearance.”

Darren. Of course it was Darren.

“Little trade secret?” Thane let the doors ease shut and then extended his middle finger. He pressed the back of his hand to the scanner plate and the doors popped open again—no sirens. “Just flip it off. Overrides the security.”

The hair at the back of my neck tingled. “That’s not very secure.”

“Eh. It takes too long for the security meatheads to authorize anything around here.” Thane shrugged. “Besides. They’ll shoot your ass if you breathe somewhere you’re not allowed.”

True. Too bad getting shot wasn’t going to stop me. “You’re a life saver.”

Thane lifted his can in a salute. “I’ll be waiting for your invite.”