This is why I need her in my pocket. Her empathy is so strong. She says she can read a person's soul, and I can believe that. She knows exactly who I am before her fingers touch my wrist.

"Sylar." I hook a foot around behind her knees and pull her closer. "I'm Sylar. I found my marbles."

My fingers trace over the ink on her arm, from her elbow and up to below her ear. Her head tilts into my hand on reflex, and I take a fist full of her hair in my hand and pull.

"Samuel whored you to me that first night. Gabriel knew it. I know it. The question is, Lydia. Is that all you are?" I pull her face to mine, so my breath is on her lips. "Or are you the power behind his crumbling throne?"