“I meant comfortable for you.” He settled down across from me and stuck his legs under the table. So he could pick up a hint. I shouldn’t be surprised.

While Tair set up the board, I subtly wiggled off a sock and started worming my bare toes up his pant leg. Hopefully footsie wouldn’t trigger any visions, because if his thoughts bled into mine, then mine could probably bleed into his.

There were some things that Altair Orpheus did not need to see.

Both of us managed to keep our faces straight while I wiggled for position. Finally, my big toe pushed back his sock and I hit bare skin. Tair?

A laugh carried through our link. That’s creative.

I thought so. I leaned my head on my hands, covering my mouth to keep from giving any weird reactions. My acting was usually better, but Tair made me slip. I really needed to work on that.

Darren will see it on the thermal camera.

We have bigger problems. Right now there was no better choice than to risk it. We need to find Darren’s lab. I’d bet my life the names were coming from there. We had to figure out how—and how to stop him—while we were still in the building, because if finding the truth was this hard here, we had zero chance of finding it from the outside. Assuming we ever made it to the outside.

We were the only ones who could do this, and if we failed, every Red Helix would pay the price.

Quickly, Tair said. Before Doctor Nagi notices our pairing.

I gripped the edge of the coffee table. That was why all the futures ended so dark.

Because Nagi would figure it out. All he had to do was compare my genetic stuff to Tair’s. However complicated that was, Nagi was too good at it to miss Eva’s work. Let’s not let it get that far.

Agreed. Tair gestured to the chessboard. “Ladies first?”

“White moves first.” And you’re going to need the extra advantage.

His hand hovered over his row of pawns. Isn’t this just for show?

Sure. But I’m still playing to win. Even tired and headachy, I couldn’t turn down a chance to play Tair. That part was actually fun.

So am I. The challenge rang in his mental voice as he made the first move. Are you going to cheat?

Every chance I get. I placed my pawn in front of his, and opened my mind, focusing on the board. His possible moves layered over the checkered spaces, flicking in and out as Tair decided which piece he’d play next.

So I could still see through time when we touched. I just had to make the effort.

That was…

Actually nice.