“You think this is the optimal time to leave, Mr. Orpheus?” His tone made my hands sweat. I’d just been given a peek inside the inner workings of the Seligo science machine. Popping home sounded like a declaration that I intended to leak information.

Which I did. As much as possible.

“If there’s a security risk, you’re welcome to tap into the feeds in my building.” It would be easy enough for him to get access whether or not I gave the invitation, but I had to give the impression of being wide open. “I’d be happy to go under guard.”

“If you must.” He started walking again, and I hoped I hadn’t just signed my own order of execution.

If I had…

At the very least, I had to tell Eva that Quanta was alive.

<<<>>>

Within the hour, I stood at my apartment door flanked by a pair of meek Grays and two Black Helix warriors in regulation body armor. We’d taken an official pod across town and though I appreciated jumping the traffic queue, I couldn’t so much as whisper without being observed.

But I’d parted the veil of Doctor Nagi’s inter sanctum. This much was to be expected.

I tried to thumb open the door, and sure enough, Cass had coded it shut. I sent an alarm through my watch and waited.

The door slid open as she stormed through the sitting room. “You ass—oh.” Her anger faded as she caught sight of my entourage, and she plucked at her ratty lounge pants. “You didn’t warn me we were having company. I would’ve changed into something fancy.”

“No, you wouldn’t.” I strode through the entryway, heading straight for my bedroom. “Help me pack? I only have a few minutes.”

One of the warriors took a position at the door, and the other followed me, Grays trailing behind him.

Cassie’s eyebrows lifted almost to her hairline. “What’s up?”

“I’ve been offered a research position.” I didn’t dare say more.

“What kind of research?” She thumbed open my bedroom door and flopped onto the king-sized bed.

“Highly classified research.” I pointed the Grays toward the closet and let them have at packing. This jaunt home wasn’t about choosing socks and ties. I grabbed my tablet from the desk and jammed it in my pocket. No point in bringing anything more. Between subterfuge and lab work, my free time was about to be extremely limited.

“So…” She tucked her knees to her chest. “Is that good or bad?”

“Bad for you. Do you want me to QA that game before I leave? I’ll probably be away a few weeks.”

Cass jumped up and grabbed my arm. “Would you, Tair? It would be suuuuuch a help.”