“So teach me.” Quanta’s smile looked so sickeningly genuine that my chest clenched. She shouldn’t have to look at that piece of shit, let alone smile at him.

“Later.” Darren patted her shoulder and then moved to open the door panel.

Her expression flashed to a scowl.

Pretending to move out of Darren’s way, I brushed past her, just touching the backs of my fingers to her wrist. What should we do?

I had to move away before she could answer, but a subtle shake of her head told me this wasn’t going to end well. Again.

Anything else would be better than repeating the same suicide loop, but our options were so limited.

We had to run.

No matter how many scenarios I considered, I couldn’t imagine us winning—let alone breaking even—unless we gambled on her powers. It was always going to come down to that eventually.

Quanta had rewound time once. I knew she could do it again, and if I couldn’t trust that instinct, then I couldn’t trust anything.

Grabbing Quanta’s hand, I yanked her back from the door.

Dumbskull! Her insult rang in my head. What are you doing? Adrenaline spiked through my blood.

“Orpheus!” Darren flew out of the doorway and madness crackled in his eyes. He gestured wildly to the guards. “Weapons!”

Moving in deadly unison, the guards lifted their guns. I wanted to shield Quanta, but I did the reverse, pulling her close to my chest as I crouched behind her. Using you as a human shield.

Fantastic. Somehow her eye-roll carried mentally.

As I backed us away, my blood roared, but I’d guessed right. The guards wouldn’t risk shooting Quanta. They followed us, taking small, wary steps. Would it have turned out better if we played along?

It’s a death trap. Her sigh vibrated through my body and for a moment I wasn’t sure if I was holding her close or hugging her.

Not important. Can you reverse?

I— Quanta tensed in my arms. Not yet.

Then we run until you can. I maneuvered her toward a turn in the corridor.

I hate this plan. Quanta squeezed my arm and I wished I could see her face, but there wasn’t time to analyze what was happening. But I don’t see any other choice.

“The fuck you think you’re doing, Orpheus?” Spit flew from Darren’s mouth.

I pulled her tighter. Quanta tensed, but then her laugh carried into my head as Darren’s eyes bulged. We shouldn’t be enjoying this, she reminded me.

We really shouldn’t, with those weapons bearing down on us, but a little laughter wouldn’t make me forget the stakes—or what it felt like to take a round of bullets to the chest.

But I’d already survived it once.