Free Revolution World by Katy Stauber Page B

communication. The only way you could do it is face to face or written down on an actual piece of paper."
    Kalliope had stopped her conversation with Max and Eric to listen to this last part.
    "So it's like you are a witch and you put a spell on the secret. So if anyone tries to tell the secret, they can't speak. I didn't know math could be that groovy, Seth," Kalliope grinned and passed him a beer.
    "Something like that," Seth said modestly, but grinned with pleasure. Then he discovered mud in his hair and began trying to pick it out while still eating.
    "We are all witches at Omerta," Max said cackling like a crone, "I'll get you my pretty! And your little dog Toto too!" He took an enthusiastic bite out of a turkey leg he'd been waving around for effect. Joanna laughed, but soon turned back to command the legion of little old ladies who kept the festivities running smoothly. Eric looked bored and wandered off towards the dancing.
    Kalliope leaned forward and gave her sister a wicked grin. "Revolution World? Did Clio tell you she used to be hot and heavy with the guy that invented it? He still comes around, doesn't he?"
    "No, he does not," replied Clio, kicking her sister under the table. "You know perfectly well I've been single for a while. Jason is just a friend."
    This last part was more for Seth's benefit and her words did not fall on deaf ears. He grinned and moved closer to her. "Jason Schmidt? I worked with him. He's a good guy," he said.
    Clio turned to find the tall, pale young woman sitting with Max giving her the evil eye. She wondered how she had failed to notice her until now. The girl would have fried Clio's head off if she had laser vision. She scowled at Seth, too. Clio smiled. This woman was obviously interested in Seth and just as obviously hating Clio for sitting so close to him. How fascinating. It was rarely apparent to her what was going on socially. She almost wanted to brag to someone for having picked up on body language for once.
    Clio stuck out her hand. "I don't believe we've met. My name is Clio," she said cheerfully.
    It almost looked as though the woman would refuse to take her hand before Seth jumped in. "Clio, can I introduce my cousin, Gloria? She's in charge of the satellite office here," Seth said as he gestured to the young woman. Gloria shook Clio's hand and inclined her head coldly. Clio gave her a big smile and wave. Kalliope shot Clio a look that plainly said she hadn't been impressed with Gloria so far.
    "Another relative?" Clio said as she eyed Gloria. "It sounds like Omerta is just as rife with nepotism as Floracopia is. Can't throw a rock in our labs without hitting a family member."
    The woman looked to be in her early twenties. She was strikingly beautiful with long black hair, dark eyes, and a haughty expression on her pale face. Clio couldn't understand how someone so young was put in charge of an office, especially with older and more experienced people like Seth and Max in it.
    Gloria leaned forward gracefully as a cold smile curled her lips. "So it is with Omerta. Everyone is very close. Although we are not so closely related, Seth and I." She gave him a smoldering look. "We are what you might call kissing cousins."
    Seth gave her an odd look. "I never find jokes about incest very funny. And it's been a long time since I kissed anyone, being single like I am." He looked at Clio significantly. She smiled and took a quick bite of pie. Seth did too. Except he was so busy looking at Clio that he missed his mouth and nearly jabbed himself in the eye with a fork.
    "I'm afraid the ladies do not appreciate a man who spends more time with his computer than with them," Max observed, handing Seth a napkin to wipe the pie off his face.
    Gloria tossed her curtain of hair in a snit. "Seth here is actually the heir apparent to our little throne, you know. His parents are both on the Board of Directors. He and Max are our lead programmers. The rest of the family cannot understand their