My breath caught in my throat. I’d rather go batty than spend time with him, but I didn’t have to see the future to know I couldn’t avoid it. “What were you saying about pressing matters?”

Akua jammed her hands into her pockets. “That’s not for me to reveal.”

“Play you for the info?”

Her eyes narrowed. “If I win?”

“I’ll get you coordinates for one of the Red Helix girls.”

Her posture tightened with wariness, but her brown eyes lit at the mention of Red Helix. Hunting Reds was practically a Seligo pastime and I’d seen enough of the recent past to know that tensions were high inside the Citadel. Odds were, my getting sprung early had something to do with them. Too many Reds were making waves outside, running crazy in the lawless Voids, and their unstable DNA gave them dangerous powers.

Powers like mine, except a lot more destructive.

If Doctor Nagi had his way, all the Reds would be dead or captive. Taking one off the streets would get Akua promoted from babysitting duty at the very least. More likely, she’d get bumped higher in Nagi’s inner circle and modified to full Seligo, with immortality and all the benefits that went with it. Get her Blue Helix tattoo upgraded to a snazzy UV one that marked her new status.

She was probably already picturing a cushy life as one of the queens of the Citadel. I kept my mouth shut, letting her live the fantasy. I understood the appeal, but Akua hardly needed the extra mods. Her face was already as close to symmetrical as it could get without looking weird, and her position here in one of Nagi’s facilities said her brain had already been plenty suped. Asking for more was crazy.

But everyone wanted to live forever, and extra intellect didn’t mean extra common sense. Akua was no exception.

“Chess?”

“Whatever you want.” I managed to keep the smug smile off my face. The near future flipped into place, letting me peek ahead a few more seconds. Akua was going to agree and the girl was toast with jam before she touched her first piece.

She pressed a finger to the sensor on one of the cabinets. The door popped open, revealing stacks of digital puzzle boards and game boxes. She moved the chess set to the dining table and punched the button on the side of the board. Rows of holographic pieces fuzzed into being on each side.

“Although don’t you think you’re getting the better deal?” I rubbed my hands together. “If I win, you tell me what’s up and I want two hours on the roof.”

“You know that’s not allowed.” Akua sat across from me, her posture still tight with wariness. “Twenty minutes in the gardens.”