“That makes this the first time in years he’s not looking over my shoulder,” Tristan said, sounding awed, or stunned, or horrified, if not all three.

“Maybe that’s a good thing,” Vista said.

“Maybe,” Tristan said. “We’d have to do more tests. Do this a few more times.”

“I’m down!” Kenzie said, sounding excited. “Yes, absolutely, but I have to go home and tinker and then I can bring it back, and in between phases, I need to visit Rain while he’s asleep.”

“Me? Why?”

“Because I think the principles we’re using here could help give a sense of what’s going on there, in your head, when you’re in your dream room. And if we can do that—”

“The door,” Rain said.

“If we can move static things or grease the way, maybe we can get it so you can go through.”

Holy shit. Do what Teacher was doing? Going into the Shard’s space and affecting things there?

“No.”

Everyone assembled turned to look at the speaker. Defiant.

“No, I’m sorry. I could talk to other members of the Wardens about it, but… I don’t think we could conscience it.”

“If we don’t, Teacher will,” Kenzie said. “He’ll figure out how to get in there and how to mess with powers or do whatever else he was doing.”

“Maybe. He doesn’t have his tinkers or tech. That slows him down. We’re maneuvering to deal with him.”

“This is a possible answer. What do you think the danger is, if we’re basically doing what Teacher is?”

“I don’t think there’s any particular difference in the degree of danger you face, compared to him,” Defiant said. “I think it’s very possible what you’re talking about could work and would work in the same way.”

“Then why not?”

“Because you’re eleven, and he’s a criminal with the remainder of his punishment pending, and that’s… frankly, if it is what we think it is, it’s a horrific amount of power.”

“You don’t trust me?”

“I’m not sure I would trust Dragon with it, and I trust her more than I trust anyone. This is something we could reserve for emergencies, we could pull multiple tinkers in, and spread out the load, maybe, but… my instinct is no. It’s too much, and it’s too dangerous.”

“Oh.”

“I’m sorry if this spoils our…”

“Friendship?” Kenzie asked. She shook her head. “No. You’re still cool.”

“I’m glad. I should go and look after things. This, in its current form? Very interesting work. Keep me up to date on the progress?” he asked.

“Can do.”

He gave a nod to Vista, then turned to go.

The conversation resumed, Tristan getting his stuff together, Vista talking to him about a movie they’d watched, apparently Tristan’s pick, except she or Rain had picked up a similar movie to one on Tristan’s list, same name, same director, same year, wrong Earth of origin.

Kenzie was quiet, staring down at her work. Her hand ran along the flat surface.