At least I’d gotten one real kiss out of this crazy ride. A taste of what Tair and I might’ve had. It sucked we’d never see what else could’ve been, but it was already so much more than I’d ever believed I’d get. Someone who understood me. Competed with me. Helped me see a different world.

A taste was better than nothing. It wasn’t enough, but I’d take it.

Now I had to trot to the end of the path I’d chosen.

Even if it meant the end for me, too.

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

ALTAIR

After my shower, I toweled the last of the water out of my hair, pushed my glasses into place, and headed to Cassie’s workroom. I needed to speak with Eva. Now.

Cass sat in the dark, squinting at lines of code.

“You’re going to be blind by thirty,” I said as I flicked on the light.

She hissed like a vampire in an old movie and lifted her hand to block the overheads. “Hello? Eye mods? I can look at all screens all day.”

“That doesn’t mean you should.” I fell into one of the gaming chairs, eager to dive in and figure out the source of my unease. “Is this game ready for me?”

“Been waiting.” She tossed me my helmet and picked hers from the nearest shelf.

I let out a breath as I slipped it on. My pulse moved. I would get answers from Eva.

I had to.

“In three… Two… One…” Cass activated the software.

My vision bled to white as her program took over my thoughts. As expected, pain bit down at the assault to my senses. I flinched hard.

“Spill.” Cass stepped in front of me, wearing the white and gold armor of a paladin. She folded her arms. “What do you really remember?”

“Nothing.” I glanced down. Brown wizarding robes. For some reason I’d expected…

Something else.

“You’re not lying to me again?”

“When have I ever lied to you?”

Cass rolled her eyes.

Fair reaction. “When have you ever caught me lying?”

“You used me to make a call before you disappeared.” She fixed me with an even stare. “I listened in.”

My breath caught in my throat. What did she already know? “Cass—”

“You’re going to thank me.”

“For spying?” She’d get herself captured or killed and it would be on my conscience. I couldn’t lose her. I couldn’t lose anyone else. Not that I’d lost anyone of late.

Had I?

“Yeah, Mr. Shadow Raven. For spying.”

“That’s…” When I needed them most, the lies wouldn’t come. If she knew the truth, there was nothing I could do to change it. All I could do was control the damage and keep her from getting any more involved. “It’s not—”

“Don’t even try. You talked to Lady Eva.”