The first time Tanya called to invite me over, Esme insisted on coming with me. After Kate's little demonstration, Esme was certain I was in grave danger. In my entire existence, I'd never felt more like a little boy in knickers. At least she didn't have me hold her hand.

When Tanya opened the door for us, she embraced Esme with a delighted smile. "Mrs. Cullen! What a delightful surprise!" Very thoughtful of you to bring her along, Edward. Very wise, too, having a skirt to hide behind.

I fought back a snarl.

Every time Tanya saw me, she greeted me in her thoughts but never spoke aloud. Esme was quite perturbed by this apparent snub until I explained Tanya's motive — she thrilled at having a private conversation in the middle of a crowded room. Luckily, our conversations mostly consisted of greetings.

And how are you, my pet? Even her thoughts sounded seductive. So good of you to come.

"Hello, Tanya," I stiffly answered.

"I'm glad you came along too, Mrs. Cullen." Tanya's use of 'Mrs.' had become something of an inside joke for these two. "You'd probably appreciate this more than anyone in your family." No offense intended, Edward. You simply do not have your mother's discerning eye.

I ignored her.

Tanya unlocked a nearby cabinet and pulled out a leather-wrapped bundle. Laying it on a table, she gingerly peeled back the layers, revealing a polished wooden box. A chess set. The chessboard was intricately inlaid in four different colors of wood and the pieces Tanya placed on the table were hand-carved. Esme sighed with longing. "It's beautiful! This isn't a modern design at all." She looked to Tanya with wonder. "How old is it?"

"The board itself is a replica of the original, but the pieces were carved in 1495 AD. I bought the set after I heard that ridiculous Christopher Columbus fellow conquered the Ocean Sea." She smiled at me. It was an act of rebellion. His discovery brought great philosphical and social turmoil. Chess is one of those enduring things. Old worlds die and new worlds are born, but chess is a constant.

"It's older than Carlisle!" Esme scrutinized the pieces. "The white pieces are ivory. Are the others walnut?"

"Rosewood."

Esme reached for the white queen, then hesitated. "May I?"

Tany smiled sweetly. "Of course! That's why I invited Edward over today. I thought he might enjoy a game of chess."

"I don't play," I protested, "but Esme is quite good."

And why would you — so thoughtful and intelligent — not play chess? Perhaps you don't find it challenging?

I shrugged, and Esme looked at me curiously. Are you two talking behind my back? That's rude, you know.

I laughed. "Unless you're chastizing someone?" Then to Tanya, "I'm not a cheater, but some games — like chess — make it difficult to remain honest."

Indeed? Perhaps I'll find you a new game. Then she turned to Esme. "Shall we play first? Then the winner can play Edward." Don't wander too far, pet. I'll be playing you soon. I got the impression she wasn't talking about chess.

Esme smiled. "Sounds like a plan."

Edward, our library is just through that door. Why don't you explore it while you wait?

I followed her directions into a room lined with bookshelves. Perusing their library was a very disconcerting experience. In one locked bookcase, there were what appeared to be early copies of everything from a Gutenberg New Testament to Copernicus' On the Revolutions of the Celestial Bodies, while on the shelf next to it, there were dozens of paperback romance novels.

I could hear the game progressing through Esme's and Tanya's thoughts. Esme was woefully outmatched, but that wasn't because she was a poor player. No one plays well against someone who has ten times more experience.

I looked over a few more of the unlocked books — Plato, Aristotle, Maimonides, Decartes, Marx, Hawking. That would be Tanya's shelf — she was the philosopher. Put her in a room with Jasper and Carlisle and they would debate for days.

And of course, the romance novels. I almost picked up Decartes, but curiousity got the better of me, and I chose Her Lover's Arms instead. The prose was painful, and the characters were shallow, but I have to admit that the sex scenes were rather impressive.

Esme's laughter pulled me out of the book, and I realized with horror that I'd been caught.

"What in the world are you reading?" she demanded.

Tanya gave me a knowing smile. Did you enjoy it? The underwater scene was one of my personal favorites. Then she turned to Esme. "That, Mrs. Cullen, is the book that paid for this house. I came dangerously close to being a publishing success with it. I had to change my pen name and everything."

I looked at the book in my hand. This was almost a best-seller? Quickly returning it to the shelf, I turned to Esme and Tanya. "So, who do I get to play?"

Esme smiled warmly at me. Bless your heart, Edward. Thank you for asking. "Tanya, of course."

Tanya grinned like the cat that ate the canary as we took our seats. I'll have you know, I haven't lost in almost a century. Thirty years ago, I finally retired my chessboard, certain that I'd never find a worthy opponent again. You've awoken great hope in me, Edward. By all means, use your talent.

I stared at her in disbelief. "Are you saying you want to lose?"

Her eyes smoldered under lowered lashes. No one wants to lose, pet. But everyone enjoys a challenge. Her porcelain hand reached out over the board and she made her first move.

Tanya lost the next three games.

I was two moves from checkmate when she finally let slip why she was doing this. They're counting on me to find a way around.

As much as she truly did enjoy the challenge, she was trying to find a way around my abilities. I was surprised she'd managed to hide her motives for this long, but I felt a flash of confidence. So long as I was winning the chess matches, I had nothing to worry about. "Check."

Tanya sighed, looking over her options. This is much more difficult than I expected. It's been nine hundred years since I lost this much. Then she smiled up at me. You truly are a delicious challenge, Edward my pet.

Her promoted queen swooped in to capture my pawn, but my rook was still in position.

"Checkmate."

She sighed again, puckering her lips in frustration. Perhaps a rematch tomorrow?

I smirked at her. "Would you like some hints?"

Not yet. The game has only just begun, and it promises to be most engaging. Tomorrow?

"After school." I smiled at the irony — going from history class to a date with living history.

Agreed.

I stood to leave, and Esme caught my eye. Edward, would you eavesdrop on her for me? Then aloud, "So Tanya, about this 'share and share alike' deal..."

Carlisle passionately kissing Tanya — the image flashed through her head. Off limits! Tanya pushed the scene from her mind. Looking at Esme, she batted her eyelashes in mock surprise. "Why Mrs. Cullen, have you changed your mind?"

Esme laughed lightly. "He's my Prince Charming, Tanya."

"Fear not! After a thousand years of looking," she sighed, placing the back of her hand to her forehead in mock despair, "I've resigned myself to the life of a spinster."

"Spinster! Really, Tanya!" Esme actually giggled at that. "I was wondering if that extended to houses. Would you consider a makeover for your living room?"

"I think it's a wonderful idea! Perhaps while your young ones are away at school, we could review some of your plans?"

I almost huffed. Young ones indeed!

"Perfect!" Esme returned Tanya's hug and we headed for home. As soon as we were out of earshot, Esme demanded, "Well?"

"I'm older than you, in one way at least. Young ones!" I scoffed.

She laughed. "That's not what I meant, Edward. Besides, she only treats you like a child to irk you." Sobering, she prodded, "Well, how did she react?"

I didn't like playing the spy for anyone, even Esme, but I knew that she was still uneasy, even with the 'Mrs. Cullen' bit. "When you brought up the 'share and share alike' line, the image of Carlisle and her popped into her head for a split second, but the thought she had was 'off limits.' I'm reasonably certain she doesn't have designs on him."

Thinking about Carlisle like that just means she's got eyes in her head. So long as she doesn't entertain that notion... She sighed, her smile peaceful. "Thank you, Edward. That eases my mind considerably."