My muscles ached slow and low as if I’d spent the night running a marathon. The headache tightening from behind my eyes to the base of my skull was cause for concern, but if aches were all I had, I must’ve gotten off rather easily. An undercurrent of unease ran through me as I shifted onto my elbows. “What about—”

“So caramel corn is healthy,” Cass cut me off. “And your lazy butt left me to fend for myself, so you can’t complain how I’ve been getting by.” She flicked her gaze pointedly to the door, which hung open.

Guests?

That was to be expected if I’d truly stepped in something classified. At least I could bank that I hadn’t been outed as a Raven. If that had happened, I’d be in an interrogation suite instead of my bedroom.

“He’s awake?” A voice called from the living room and the tone instantly lifted the hairs on my arms.

Cass tensed beside me as he strode in, the flaps of his white lab coat fanning out behind him. A Green Helix was embroidered on the pocket. He looked muscular under the coat with blond-brown locks furrowed back by his fingers. Late twenties. Not Seligo, but his eyes—

That chemical green shade twisted something inside me.

I hated this man.

A slight crinkling at the corners of his eyes hinted that the feeling might be mutual. He extended a hand. “I’m Darren Waldman.”

I shifted on tender muscles to return his grip. “I take it we met this past week?”

“You were brought in to consult on my team,” Darren said, folding his arms. I couldn’t miss the tension ratcheting through his muscles. “The senators demanded your return when word of the accident slipped out, but there’s doubt whether you retained your memory of our classified data.”

Slipped out? So I was supposed to be in custody.

“I remember leaving for the senate.” If I did remember something more, better to slit my own throat than to tell it to Darren Waldman. I’d probably be in refrigerated locker somewhere if not for parental interference. “I’ve no idea if I arrived at the ball and no memory of anything afterward.”

Seconds drew out as Darren studied me. Only Cass’s munching and fidgeting broke the silence, but I refused to look away. If he thought I was lying…

I had the dread feeling I might end up in a freezer after all.

Finally, Darren nodded, but the gesture was grudging rather than satisfied. “There are guards outside and my people will be checking in with you regularly until I’m positive you’re clean.”

“And if I do remember anything?”

“I’ll be looking forward to that.” Darren’s smirk chilled me to my sinews.

Cass gripped my arm and only relaxed when the sound of the exterior door echoed. She let out a breath. “That dude is wicked creepy.”