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Cain and I both love it, but for different reasons.

Cain loves chess because the smallest move can turn vicious. A pawn looks harmless until it takes something important.

I love it because it’s merciless. Every mistake costs you, and no one gets spared because they meant well.

But I don’t want to play today.

“I’m not in the mood for games,” I say.

“Aren’t you?” Cain crosses to the small table near the hearth, sits, and begins setting the pieces even though they’re already in place. Cain always does that. Resets the world before he enters it.

I should tell him to leave.

Instead, I stand. Because refusing Cain is a move.

Accepting is also a move, and I need to know why he’s here. I need to know where Samson and Delaney are.

I join him at the board.

Cain finishes aligning his pawns and gestures to the white side. “For you.”

“How kind.” I move my king’s pawn two spaces.

He mirrors me.

For a few turns, the game is ordinary.

Cain moves his bishop.

I study the board.

“What do you know about Delaney Cross?” Cain asks.

He’s asking me? Odd. I wanted to interrogate him. But I know better than to show my younger brother any kind of emotion. I pick up a pawn and turn it once between my fingers before setting it forward. “Not much.”

Cain watches my hand. “That’s disappointing.”

“Is it?”

I return my attention to the board. “All I know is that Samson seems to be getting sloppy because of his feelings for her.”

Cain nods. “Feelings make people stupid.”

I keep my breathing even.

Samson’s note burns through my memory.

He and Delaney are gone.

I know they left Samson’s castle in a hurry. I know the hidden compartment is empty. I know Samson left me a message. I know he’s not as careless as Cain wants me to believe.

And I know better than to reveal any of that.

“Samson has always acted first and thought later,” I say. “That’s nothing new.”

“No.” Cain slides his bishop into position. “But this is.”

I look at the board.