He wore his black hair slicked back, and though he had the ageless Seligo aura, he lacked the sense of plastic that so many gave off. His posture projected confidence—straight shoulders, clear gaze. A neat tie peeked from under his buttoned lab coat. Clean-shaven. And sitting comfortable in his position of authority.

All in all, Tenma Nagi was the picture of competence.

But I shouldn’t be meeting him in person. Ever. I tried to gather myself, but shock kept me standing in the doorway.

“Altair Orpheus.” Doctor Nagi stood before I could react. “A pleasure to meet you at last. Your parents have been singing your praises at me for years.”

“I…” Shit. Where was my mask when I needed it? We were alone in the conference room. Not an interrogation suite, so I wasn’t caught. Not yet. “Sir. This is an honor.” I returned his firm handshake.

“Sit.” He gestured to the seat across from him at the oval table. “I’m sure you’re wondering why you were summoned.”

“Of course.” A serious understatement. Whatever was happening, I had to work it to my advantage. I took the seat and folded my hands, trying to slow my racing heart. If I broke my poker face here, I was dead.

Doctor Nagi had discovered the secret to immortality. He’d overthrown the old world and established the system of Helix castes. Now he chaired the senate and spearheaded the Seligo’s genetic research programs. I’d been working to get close to him for years, but I’d never expected to get this close.

Not without warning.

“I need your assistance.” Doctor Nagi tapped the table top screen and it lit with information. Files and images. As he flipped through, I fought to divide my attention, but he commanded a presence that made it difficult to look away.

He navigated to an image and then pinched its corners, expanding the photo until a face filled the table. “This is one of my test subjects. A Red.”

A Red Helix? Alive?

The young woman’s face was almost Seligo perfect and softly gorgeous, framed by long black hair. Her wide, gray eyes stared up at me, conveying a deep sadness that made my heart pinch.

Maybe it was her looming death sentence that made her so compelling. Now that I knew she existed, I could get word to Eva, but the girl was in the system deep if she was part of Nagi’s research. Likely far beyond a smash and grab rescue mission.