Irena got up and gave my parents a tight-lipped smile in farewell before letting herself out. By the time I followed, she was halfway down the stairs.

“Slow down,” I said as I jogged to catch up.

“Talk louder, why don’t you? The Germans in Hamburg only heard part of that.”

I refused to dignify the snide remark with a reply. Irena kept to the shadows, making it even more difficult to follow her. She darted down a side street, unnoticed by me until I’d walked five steps in the wrong direction. I altered my course.

“Are we dropping something off?” I asked when I reached her again.

“Do you realize how annoying you are?”

“I’m trying to learn.”

“Fine, if you want a damn lesson so much, here it is: You’re annoying.”

Without waiting for my reply, Irena made another turn. Every movement was stealthy and sharp, but she remained light on her feet, blending in with the night. She was concentrated and purposeful, and, if she weren’t so irritating, I’d almost have been impressed.

“For a teacher’s daughter, you’re not very good at teaching,” I said after a moment.

“Thank God. Teaching is Mama’s passion, not mine. I’m more like my father.”

“Did he curse as much as you do?” I stole a sly glance at her; instead of the eye roll I anticipated, Irena chuckled.

“Always, assuming Mama wasn’t around.”

A faraway look crossed her face as she adjusted the chain on her necklace. She’d spoken with some degree of civility. Clearly that was unintentional, because she put on another burst of speed and darted down the next street.

I dodged a patch of icy snow. “You know, I’m more likely to be spotted if you keep making me run after you, and you can’t look out for me if you’re ignoring me.” I gave her a triumphant grin. “Checkmate.”

“What did you say?”

“Checkmate. It’s how you end a chess game. The king is the most important piece, and when you place your opponent’s king in checkmate, the king is threatened with capture no matter which way he moves. Your opponent has no way to avoid the checkmate, so they lose. A check, on the other hand, means the king can avoid capture by—”

“I stopped listening two hours ago.”

With an exasperated sigh, I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Never mind. The point is, you have to let me keep up.” I darted in front of her, forcing her to halt. “I win.”

Irena scoffed. “Shut up, Helena. We have a long night ahead, and if you keep bitching, I’m going to leave you. Now, move your ass out of my way, or should I move it for you?”

I indicated the empty street with a flourish. “Lead the way, Marta.”

She pushed past me, moving as briskly as before.