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Eckhart's country house is a massive white mansion nestled in a small valley. A demure maid greets us and then Aaron escorts me into an enormous room with vaulted ceilings and a fireplace. People mill around, eyes sliding over me before settling on Aaron.

He scans the room and I know it's only a matter of time before he heads off to talk to more important people. Instead, he touches my arm and indicates that I follow him.

‘I've got a surprise for you,' he tells me.

We walk outside where tall heaters warm a large paved area. Soft lights twinkle all around us and a lagoon pool lies in the distance, surrounded by light and people. Aaron walks with a confident stride and the crowd parts easily for us. We approach a table with exotic-looking food and I gasp when I recognise Bobby beside a bowl of tropical fruit. He's wearing his best suit, which still looks pretty shabby in this crowd, and his plate is piled high with seafood and juicy chunks of fresh pineapple. When he sees me, his face breaks into a smile and he drops his plate on a nearby table.

‘Josie.' He grabs me in a rough hug.

My eyes begin to water and it doesn't matter that my uncle stands out like a rough cut diamond; he's my entire world. Reminding myself I'm wearing make-up, I blink back the tears. Right now, I don't care that neither of us belong in this crowd of Citizens, I'm just relieved to see him.

Aaron looks pleased with himself and I realise he's really gone to some lengths to impress me.

Bobby takes in the dress and gives a low whistle. ‘You borrow that get-up from someone?'

‘Something like that,' I say, mentally reminding myself to be careful during the night. I doubt the fancy store it comes from will let me return an item with pineapple stains. And the plan is to return it. No way am I going to be in Olivia's debt if I can help it.

‘There you are.'

As if my thoughts have summoned her, I turn to see her behind me. She's dressed in a stunning gold dress that sweeps to the floor, hair carefully curled. She holds a bottle of liquor in one hand and a full glass of amber liquid in the other.

‘Aaron, darling.' She air-kisses her brother.

‘Olivia.' Aaron frowns pointedly at the bottle in her hand.

‘And who is this dashing gentleman you're with, Josie?' Olivia's liquor-infused breath washes over me.

‘This is my uncle,' I say. ‘Bobby Ryder.'

‘Pleasure to meet you, sir.' She hands Bobby the bottle of liquor. ‘Would you like to try some? It's eighty-year-old cognac.'

Bobby takes the bottle, almost licking his lips. ‘I probably shouldn't drink the heavy stuff. Being on good behaviour tonight and all.'

I quietly second that idea and take the bottle from him, handing it back to Olivia.

‘Good behaviour is so overrated,' she purrs.

I try to change the subject. ‘Is Director Eckhart around?'

‘He is, and he sent me to find my darling brother.' Olivia winks at me. ‘I suspect they're going to talk about you behind your back, Josie. Must be nice to be so popular.'

‘Stop it, Olivia.' Aaron takes his sister's arm and pulls her towards the house. He glances back. ‘I won't be long, Josie.'

‘Sure.' I smile, but my face feels tight. Olivia is being a bitch, but she's probably right about people talking about me. The idea makes me uncomfortable and I wonder why Eckhart doesn't want to see me yet.

Bobby glances at the bottle Olivia left behind with a hungry look. He catches me watching him and straightens, clearing his throat. ‘I'm a tad thirsty. Might rustle up a glass of champagne for us both.' He pauses, then asks, ‘I can have bubbly, right?'

‘Of course.' I point to the drinks table, glimpsed between the crowds of perfumed dresses and clean-cut suits.

‘Don't be a wallflower on my account,' Bobby grunts, then makes a beeline towards it. ‘Go press some palms. I'll find you later.'

My stomach rumbles and I eye the table of rich food, wondering how risky it would be to grab a bite to eat. Snagging up a small tasty looking pancake topped with bright herbs, I pop it in my mouth and wander to the side of the crowd and into the garden. The lawn stretches out, illuminated by soft lanterns, and beyond that, pure darkness meets a star-studded sky. It's almost impossible to see the stars back home, but as a little girl, I'd fall asleep watching them from my window, hedged by ancient pine trees. Seeing the stars now is a kind of reassurance, and calm brushes over my shoulders, settling like a warm shawl. I step into a grove of black walnut trees, enjoying being this close to nature again, enjoying the peace.

‘Josie.'

Blake's voice comes from behind me. I turn and watch him approach, thankful we're shielded from the party by trees and carefully manicured hedges.

He's wearing a dark blue suit that fits him perfectly, though he's forgone a tie and the top button of his shirt is undone. With a start, I see he's clean shaven, the sideburns and stubble gone. He comes close enough that I can smell his cologne like a brief whiff of the ocean. Blake takes in my dress and his mouth tightens.

‘That dress looks expensive.'

My eyebrows snap together. ‘So? You think I can't afford my own dress?'

‘Sorry.' He shoves a hand through his neatly combed hair. ‘I meant to say, you look nice.' He sounds sincere and I mentally raise my shields against the tide of warmth his words create inside me. While my brain understands the danger of this lock, my body doesn't care and it just wants him.
Craves
him.

‘Thanks,' I say. ‘You look nice as well.'

Blake indicates his immaculate suit. ‘This old thing?'

Nerves push a giggle past my throat before I can choke it off, and Blake grins, erasing the tension in his face.

‘How are your sessions with Vogel going?' he asks.

My eyes drop, because I instinctively know he'll see the lie in them. ‘Really good.'

An awkward silence descends and suddenly I'm too conscious of his presence. Too aware of
him
. My heart starts to gallop.

‘Look, Josie,' Blake begins awkwardly. ‘I wanted you to know … back when we were in slipstream … when I came to, you were falling unconscious.' He sucks in a quick breath, then says, ‘In that moment, while we threaded, I could feel your heartbeat like a second pulse. The damage that happened to you, it was all during the first few minutes. After I came to, though, it was like I could share what made me a slider with you. It protected you against the atmosphere.' His brow creases. ‘I just wanted you to know that. That somehow, I knew you were safe with me.'

I give him a tentative smile. I want to tell him I believe him. That even though I've stashed the memories my TP read of him away, it left an imprint of familiarity with him on me and I know he's telling the truth, because I know the kind of man he is. But I can't find the right words, so I just step forward, closing the distance between us, and brush a soft kiss on his cheek.

‘
Son of a bitch
.'

Blake is pulled back with a violent jerk. Aaron stands behind him, face thunderous. He drops Blake's arm, then shoves his older brother in the shoulder, pushing him back a step. ‘Are you trying to ruin everything?'

‘Nothing was happening,' Blake tells him calmly.

‘Liar!' The calm, cool demeanour I associated with Aaron is gone. His neck flushes dark red and he shoves Blake again.

Blake raises his hands. ‘I'm not going to fight you, Aaron.'

‘You think I can't take you?' Aaron lunges forward, catching Blake around the waist, and they fall heavily to the ground, grappling to get the upper hand.

I hop from one foot to the other, no idea what to do. Two guys fighting over you is supposed to be a girl's dream come true, but it just makes me feel ill. Both come up for air, neat suits rumpled as they glare at each other.

‘We were just talking,' I try to explain to Aaron. ‘Nothing more.'

He glares at me. ‘Is that how you talk to everyone? I guess I shouldn't expect manners from a dead-end third striker.'

‘Don't speak to her like that,' Blake growls. ‘She's telling you the truth.'

‘I'll talk to her how I please,' Aaron snaps. ‘And I suspect you'd say anything to cover for her, wouldn't you?'

Blake shakes his head. ‘Please, Aaron. Just drop this.'

Aaron thrusts a finger at him. ‘I'm not going to warn you again. Next time, keep away. Don't ruin this for me.'

‘Everything alright, Josie?'

Turning, I see Bobby limping over with two champagne glasses. He glares at the two brothers. ‘You two fellas wouldn't be bothering my niece, would you?'

‘Of course not.' Aaron straightens his suit, while Blake smooths back his dark hair. ‘We were just sorting an issue out.'

Bobby hands me a glass, squinting at Blake. ‘Do I know you?'

‘My name is Blake Galloway, sir.' He steps forward, holding out a hand. ‘I visited your shop a few times.'

Bobby's eyes go wide. ‘You.'

‘No!' I try to grab Bobby's arm, but he's already tossed his drink aside and is swinging at Blake, managing to land a heavy fist against his nose.

Blake's head snaps back and when Bobby goes to follow up with a right hook, Blake has just enough time to duck.

‘I'm gonna bust your teeth in,' Bobby snarls.

I step in front of him, stopping him. ‘You're making a scene. You said you were on your best behaviour.' I drop my voice. ‘This is my big chance, remember?'

My uncle blinks a few times before focusing on me.

‘Blake already apologised for what happened,' I say quickly. ‘And it kind of wasn't his fault. It was an accident.'

Bobby says nothing as he lowers his fists, eyes pinned on Blake, who's wiping a bloody nose.

‘Why don't we refresh our drinks?' Aaron suggests, indicating he'd escort Bobby and myself.

I force a smile on my face, and try to push aside his earlier words. They'd been spoken in the heat of the moment, so I was prepared to forgive him. Just. Bobby takes my arm and propels me away. I glance back at Blake watching me leave him, face blank.

Olivia stands at the drinks table, draining a glass of champagne. When she sees us, she picks up a fresh glass and tilts it at Aaron.

‘You found the wayward damsel,' she says. ‘Wonderful.'

Aaron doesn't reply, just picks up a glass for himself and throws it back in a single gulp. Olivia arches an eyebrow at me.

‘Did I miss something?' she asks.

I shake my head and put down the champagne Bobby gave me. Aaron throws Bobby a tight smile and begins to talk to him in a low voice. I hear Blake's name a few times, but I can't quite hear what they're saying. Olivia links her arm through mine.

‘If you're free, my dear, Director Eckhart has asked for a word with you.'

‘Where is he?' I search the crowds, resisting as she tries to pull me along with her.

‘Upstairs in his office, with all the other VIPs.'

‘I can't leave my uncle here.' I turn to see Bobby and Aaron watching us.

‘I'll be fine, Josie.' Bobby waves me off. ‘You go and talk to people. I saw a table with a pile of lobsters before. Might go and shake hands with a claw or two.'

‘Sounds delicious.' Aaron gives me a small wave as he and Bobby disappear into the crowd.

‘That dress suits you,' Olivia says as we walk inside and start up a sweeping staircase. ‘I wasn't sure you'd wear it.'

I press my lips together and say nothing to incriminate myself. She glances at me and gives a little laugh. ‘How does it feel, being Eckhart's pet project? Must be kind of creepy, having him watch your progress so closely.'

‘He's not so bad,' I say, defensive.

Olivia's laugh is sour. ‘Eckhart's a weirdo. He's losing his position as director because he's sick with something they can't cure him of. Once this academic year is up, he's getting the boot into retirement, leaving behind a nice big hole in the Executive Committee. A position Aaron's had his eye on for a couple of years. My brother has been determined to be the youngest appointee in history. Why, I have no idea.'

We reach the second floor landing and walk down a wide corridor with lush red carpet. I wonder if Eckhart knows Aaron's after his executive position, but I don't ask Olivia, because I know that's exactly what she wants. Me, begging her for information. But I'm not interested in anything she has to say. A rogue thought surfaces: that I can get the truth through my TP, and Olivia will never even know. I banish the idea quickly, knowing it's dangerous.

At the end of the corridor is a heavy wooden door with brass fittings. Olivia opens it with a sweeping gesture and leads me into a lavish study of dark wood and deep rich colours. Small clusters of finely dressed people stand around the room, talking, and Eckhart stands beside an open fireplace in a knot of men and women. He wears a creamy white suit with a crisp red handkerchief tucked in the front pocket. When he sees me, he excuses himself and walks over with a crooked smile.

‘Thank you for coming, Josie,' he says.

‘Thank you again for inviting me,' I reply.

‘Allow me to introduce you.' He pulls me over to a group of people, where the names fly thick and fast.

Eckhart doesn't mention the lock, and I try to keep my answers to a minimum when people ask about my abilities. Wendell has coached me on how to reveal as little about myself as possible. My fingers fidget with my dress as I try to think of something charming to say, but nothing comes to mind, so I mainly keep quiet. As people chatter around me, my talents sense my heightened nerves and rattle the puzzle-chest, wanting to leap out and pull everything from people's minds. I grit my teeth and bear down on the urge. Hard.

‘If everyone would please excuse us?' Eckhart touches my arm and gestures towards a heavy curtain pushed back to reveal French doors leading to a balcony. ‘I'd like to have a quiet word with Helios's most promising cadet.'