“It’s funny you bring that up,” I said. “In some countries, red hair was considered a sign of witchcraft. They actually burned people at the stake for it. Can you imagine? Just goes to show that a little ignorance can go a long way—if you let it go unchallenged, that is.”

“It can be hard to find people you can trust, and when you do, you hold on to them, imperfections and all.”

“You overplayed your cards,” he said. “I can spot manipulation a thousand miles away. I invented the concept.”

“Seire,” I said, the phrase bubbling up from someplace deep inside my heart. Be victorious. Another word, a phrase I’d never learned, that had magically planted itself in my brain. “I always am,” she replied without turning back. “Go. You have a job to do.”

“Need a ride home?""Yes."But she keeps sitting there."Let's go.""You're taking me?""It's a pretty standard way of offering," I say. "I wasn't asking for informational purposes. Fascinating as the answer was.”

“Can I help it if I’m the only one keeping my eyes on the big picture?” Loki flashed a condescending smile. “The best poker players are patient. They wait until it’s a hand they know they can win.”

“Would you prefer the term pawn?” he said. “I struggle to stay abreast of what’s politically correct.”