And there. My powers worked fine with her. One look gave me the moments that had shaped her. Sure it was only the tip of the Akua iceberg, but it gave me the gist.

So why couldn’t I get a read on Altair? And why did he keep budging into my thoughts?

“Whatever you’re seeing, I don’t want to know.” Akua rubbed her hands against her arms, shivering.

I blinked, coming back to the present. “Then do me a favor?”

“Possibly.”

“House arrest is done and I want out. One hour in the sim room.”

“It’s not scheduled. I’d have to clear the floor…” Her voice trailed and I could practically hear her thinking what a pain in the ass it would be. Luckily, I could make it worth her while.

“What if I hit the shooting range and tell you my score? I hear the staff bets on that kind of thing.”

Her eyes widened. Serious credits changed hands when I did a session in the simulator. I’d made Darren and a few others a fortune over the years, but I’d yet to let Akua in on the fun. I’d been saving the offer.

“I’ll check if the room’s free.”

“One more thing.”

“Another request?” Akua paused in the doorway to shot me a well-deserved look of suspicion.

“Invite the new guy.” I tried to make my voice sound as neutral as possible.

“Orpheus?” Her eyes narrowed.

“Unless you got another one?”

“He’s not to contact you,” Akua said. “But why—”

“Can we not play the question game today? He’s a good shooter and I think I can take him.” And I really hoped she bought that, because I wasn’t lying. Much. “Just tell him I sent a challenge.”

Her brow furrowed. I dug into my cereal and tried not to look as jittery as I felt. I just wanted to meet him to ask the questions that had been driving me insane the past few days. Not that I’d be able to ask, but I at least wanted to get my eyes on him.

Akua left me to eat. She hadn’t said her decision, but I didn’t need her to. The near future shifted and a crowd started firming up in the gallery over the sim room.

Thank God. I would’ve worn the carpet through if I had to stay copped up, pacing. I couldn’t tell if Altair would show, but at least I was getting out.

When she came back an hour later, I stood ready by the door in a fresh pajama set.

She escorted me out and an entourage of four Black Helix goons followed us toward the sim room. Each one was about the size of a bridge troll, decked out with enough stunning and maiming weapons to make a pacifist faint.