diff --git a/tests/test_ratelimit.py b/tests/test_ratelimit.py
index 874a749..912439c 100644
--- a/tests/test_ratelimit.py
+++ b/tests/test_ratelimit.py
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ request returns 429 before any session is opened, which is the whole point of
 checking the limit before the password. The happy path can't be reached here and is
 not pretended at.
 """
+import time
+
 import pytest
 
 from thoughtsync import ratelimit
@@ -90,8 +92,13 @@ async def test_login_starts_refusing(app):
     body = {"email": "someone@example.com", "password": "wrong-password"}
     # Pre-load the account's counter to its limit rather than posting that many
     # times: every real attempt would need a database to reach the password check.
-    for i in range(ratelimit.ACCOUNT_LIMIT):
-        ratelimit.sign_in_by_account.record("someone@example.com", now=float(i))
+    #
+    # On the REAL clock, not an injected one. The window is trailing, so hits stamped
+    # at t=0..9 are fifteen minutes stale the moment the route reads
+    # `time.monotonic()` and get pruned before they can refuse anything.
+    now = time.monotonic()
+    for _ in range(ratelimit.ACCOUNT_LIMIT):
+        ratelimit.sign_in_by_account.record("someone@example.com", now=now)
     resp = await client.post("/api/auth/login", json=body)
     assert resp.status_code == 429
     assert resp.headers.get("Retry-After")
@@ -101,8 +108,9 @@ async def test_login_starts_refusing(app):
 
 async def test_device_login_shares_the_account_counter(app):
     client = app.test_client()
-    for i in range(ratelimit.ACCOUNT_LIMIT):
-        ratelimit.sign_in_by_account.record("someone@example.com", now=float(i))
+    now = time.monotonic()
+    for _ in range(ratelimit.ACCOUNT_LIMIT):
+        ratelimit.sign_in_by_account.record("someone@example.com", now=now)
     resp = await client.post(
         "/api/auth/device-login",
         json={"email": "someone@example.com", "password": "wrong-password"},
@@ -114,8 +122,9 @@ async def test_device_login_shares_the_account_counter(app):
 
 async def test_register_is_throttled_by_address(app):
     client = app.test_client()
-    for i in range(ratelimit.REGISTER_LIMIT):
-        ratelimit.register_by_address.record("203.0.113.9", now=float(i))
+    now = time.monotonic()
+    for _ in range(ratelimit.REGISTER_LIMIT):
+        ratelimit.register_by_address.record("203.0.113.9", now=now)
     resp = await client.post(
         "/api/auth/register",
         json={"email": "new@example.com", "password": "a-long-enough-password"},