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“Maybe.”

“Current?”

“Not like a shock.”

He nodded. “Pressure?”

Talia hesitated. “Maybe.”

My attention sharpened.

She looked at me. “You didn’t ask me.”

“No.”

“You pulled away.”

“Yes.”

Darev made a quiet sound.

I ignored him.

Talia looked back at him. “What does that mean?”

“Possibly nothing.”

I approved of the answer.

Then Darev ruined it.

“Possibly recognition.”

Talia went still.

I did too.

“No.”

Darev looked at me. “You asked for medical advice.”

“I did not ask for superstition.”

“That is because you confuse biology with superstition when it inconveniences you.”

Talia’s eyes narrowed. “Recognition of what?”

Darev leaned back against the counter. “Compatibility.”

Her expression immediately changed.

I knew why.

Compatibility had already controlled too much of her life.

Darev noticed that as well. He chose his next words carefully.

“Not the kind in administrative records.”