atleasttoEve.
Astheyexitedtheelevators,Eveglancednervouslyattheclerk’sdesk—
Heather was nowhere to be found, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Armaan walkedhertothedooroftheisolationwingandstoppedinfrontofthelarge
securityguard.
“Well,thisiswhereIleaveyou.”Heshookherhandvigorously,allthe
whilekeepingoneapprehensiveeyeontheguard.“Don’tleaveearlythis
time.”
Evewavedgoodbyeandscurriedintotheisolationwing,staringdownthe
longhallwayasifitwerethepassagewaytoamenacinglabyrinth.She
suddenly felt ill—it was the dread of the unknown, the anticipation of how Jason would be receiving her this day. She reached his room and stopped; a nursewalkingdownthehallwaywatchedasEvestaredatthedoorinfrontof
her.
“Needanyhelp,dear?”sheasked.
“Gotanysedatives?”Evemuttered.ThenurselookedconfusedandEve
forcedasmile.“Justkidding.”Sheheldherbreathand,withonefinalsurgeof courage,openedthedoor.
Theroomwasdimlylitandoverwhelminglydepressing—again.Jasonwas
sittinginhisbedashehadbeenyesterday;hishairwasstilldisheveledandhis face prickly to match his attitude. Eve glanced at the staples protruding from hischestandquicklylookedaway.
“Hey,”shemumbled,settinghershoulderbagonthefloor.“Readyto
learn?”
Jasondidn’trespond.
SheslidthefoldingchairacrosstheroomandsatitnexttoJason’sbed.
“Wanttogetstarted?”
Stillhewassilent.
“Look,Ican’tleaveuntilwemakesomeprogress,soyou’restuckwithme.”
Hesighedandranhisfingersthroughhishair.“Fine.Let’sgetthisoverwith.”
Evesatdownandfiddledwithhercuticles.“Honestly,Idon’treallyknowwhat
I’mdoing.I’venevertutoredanyonebefore.”ShelookedupatJason,and
theireyesmet.“Haveyouusedyourgiftatallyet?”
“No.”Helookedaway.“Justthatday,inthelobbydownstairs…”
“Youremergence?”
“Emergence?”
“Thedevelopmentofyourgift.”Sherecalledherownexperience—thecrash,
thetruckboltingintotheskyandbackdowntothepavement—and
shuddered.“It’sterrible,really—likeasurgeofpoweryoucan’tcontrol.”She lookedbackatJason.“Doyourememberanythingfromthatmoment?Arush
ofenergy?Blackenedvision?Theworstdamnheadacheofyourlife?”
“Soundsaboutright,”hemuttered.
“You’retwenty,right?That’saroundtheprimeagetogothrough
emergence,butitlookslikeyour”—shehesitated,glancingathisscar
—“traumasetitinmotion.”
“One of the nurses told me what I did—that I sent people flying across the room.”Hegrimaced.“It’s sick.”
“It’snotsobad,actually,ifyoulookatthebrightsideatleast.”
“Bright side? ”
“Movingpeopleisdifficult— reallydifficult,actually.Suchapowerfulonset ofemergenceusuallymeansyouhaveaprettystronggift.”
Jasongrumbledunderhisbreath,unimpressed.Knowingherdaywasabout
togetincreasinglymoredifficult,Eveexhaledloudlyandrelaxedher
shoulders.
“Okay,let’sgetstarted.”
Hereyesscannedtheroom.Shewaslookingforsomethingsmall,butnot
toosmall,asatinyobjectwouldbetrickytomaneuver.However,ifanobject
wastoolargeandbulky,theweightalonemadeithardtolevitate.Sheneeded
something just right, like an apple, or—she paused and spotted a small snow globesittingamongJason’spresents.Shefelthermindliquefy,andthesnow
globegracefullypoppedoffofthetableandontoJason’slap.
“You’regoingtopassthatsnowglobetome.”
Jasongrabbedthesnowglobeandstudiedit,runninghisfingersoverthe
smoothsurface.Helookedbackather.“HowamIsupposedtodothat?”
“Youhavetorelax—notyourbody,butyourmind.”Sheflickedherwrist
andsenttheglobeshootingfromJason’sgripandintoherhands.“It’scalled
melting. Some people call it softening or dissolving, it’s all the same. Your minddriftsintoastateoffreedom.Onceyougetreallygoodatit,”shepaused
astheglobefloatedupfromherhandsandintotheair,“you’llbeabletodoit
withouteventrying.”
“So,howdoIknowifI’mmelting?”
“Youcanseeit,sortoflikeyou’rewatchingyourbrainthroughsometype
of third eye.” The globe hovered in the air, and she closed her eyes. “I see darkness.”
“Everyoneseesdarknesswhentheyclosetheireyes.”
“Thisisdifferent.It’sasiftheblackispulsingandthen,”shestopped,sending theglobesoaringtowardJason,“itstartstocascadedownward,sortof
likesandinanhourglassorwaterflowingfromafaucet.”Theglobelingered
in front of Jason for a moment and then plopped onto his lap. “And then it stopswhenIwantittostop.”
“Verypoetic,”hejeered.
“Icoulddowithoutthesnarkycommentary,thanks.”
Jasonignoredherretortandstaredatthesnowglobeinfrontofhim.“What
doIdoonceIstartmelting?”
“Justenvisionthesnowglobedoingexactlywhatyouwantittodo.Navigate
itsmovementwithyourthoughts.”
“Soundseasyenough.”
“You’dbesurprised,”shecountered.“Ifyourmindwanders,it’llchangethe
pathofwhateveryou’retryingtomanipulate.Youneedtothinkaboutthesnow
globeandnothingelse,andyouneedtoseeitmovingfromyourlaptomine.”
Jasonwasquiet,focusinghisgazeonthesnowglobeashetriedhisbestto
melt.Nothinghappened.Again,hetookinalong,deepbreathandcenteredhis
eyes on the globe, his stare intense and determined. Still it sat on his sheets, completelymotionless.HesighedwithannoyanceandscowledatEve.
Shenodded.“Again.”
Herolledhiseyesandturnedoncemoretothesnowglobe,glaringatitasif
itwereapalm-sizedadversary.Theglobedidn’tmove,andJasonheldhis
breathandsquintedhiseyes,strainingtofocusonhisuncooperative
assignment.
“You’retryingtoohard.”
“I’m tryingtoconcentrate.”
“You’regoingtohurtyourself,”Evescolded.“Youcan’toverdoit.You
needtorelax—”
“HowcanI relax?”hespat,angrily.
“Justletithappen.Justtryagain.”
Jasoncursedtohimself,shakinghisheadashepreparedforhisnextattempt.
A few seconds passed, and this time Eve saw his shoulders become limp and his eyelids grow heavy; he was melting, she was sure of it. The snow globe suddenlytwitchedinhislap,teeteringawkwardly,thenslowlyfloatedupfrom
thebed.Eve’sheartracedasshewatchedtheglobejerkandconvulseintheair,
staggeringtowardheruntilitstoppedjustacoupleoffeetinfrontofherface.
She was puzzled; she looked at the snow globe, which trembled in place, and thenatJason.Hisbreathingwasrapid,hiseyesclenchedshut,andshe
immediatelyknewthatsomethingwaswrong.Theglobebegantoshake
vigorously as his breathing intensified, sending the white flecks swirling throughtheglassorblikeaturbulentblizzard.Sheknewwhatwashappening
—andshehadtothinkfast.Withoutasecondtospare,sheduckedherhead—
justasthesnowglobeshottowardherlikeaglassbulletandhurtledacrossthe
room,plowingrightthroughaframedpictureonthetablebeforesmashing
againstthewall,sendingglassandwaterflyingeverywhere.
“Whatthehellwasthat? ”Eveyelled,jumpingupfromherseatandstorming towardtheshatteredglass.“Wereyoutryingto killme?”
“Itwasanaccident—”
“Thatthingalmosthitmeintheface!”Shepickedupthepictureframe,
whichwasnowmangledanddeformed.“Thiscouldhavebeenmyface!”
“I’m sorry! ”heshouted.“Iswear,Ididn’tmeanto.I’mstilllearning!”
“Well,youseemedlikeyouknew exactlywhatyouweredoing.”
“Iwasn’ttryingtohurtyou.”
“Thenwhat wereyoutryingtodo?Whatwereyouthinkingabout?Because
youcertainlyweren’tthinkingaboutwhatwediscussed.”
Jasonfaltered.“Idon’tknow.”
“You’relying.”
“I don’tknow,”heshotback,hiseyesfilledwithanger.
Evefoldedherarmsandglowered.“Look,you’regoingtobeseeingmefor
averylongtime,andifwe’regoingtogetalong,youhavetobehonestwith
me.”
Jasonpausedandlookeddownathishands.“Idon’tknow.”
“Bullshit.”
“Iwasthinkingaboutmyparents! ”hebarkedsuddenly.
Evelookedatthemutilatedpictureframeinherhandandbrushedawaythe
brokenbitsofglass.ItwasaphotoofJasonandanoldermanandwomanat
hishighschoolgraduation.Themanbesidehimhadthesamenoseandjawas
Jason, while the woman had his large, brown eyes, and Eve quickly realized thatthiswasaphotoofhimwithhisparents.
“So,youhaveaproblemwithyourparents?”
“I’mnottalkingaboutthis.”
“Look,Idon’tcareifyouhateyourfolks.”Shetossedthephotointhetrash
canandsatinherseat.“That’syourdeal.Butdon’tputmeinharm’swayjust
because you have some petty beef with them. And the next time your parents stopby—”
“Therewon’tbeanexttime.”
“Oh,quitwiththe dramatics—”
“They’ve neverbeenhere,”Jasonsnapped.“They’re notcoming.Notever.”
Evestopped;shestaredbackatJason,allthewhilestrugglingtocomprehend
hiswords.Shemusthavemisheardhim—therewasnoother
explanation—and yet the shameful look on his face told her otherwise. After all,thescenariowascommon:anoutedchimeraabandonedbyall,including
hisownfamily.
Jasonlookedawayself-consciously,hisfaceredwithembarrassment.
“Whatdidyousay?”
“Don’tworryaboutit.”
“You’reinthe hospital—”
“I said, don’tworryaboutit.”
“Youwerenearlykilled,”shecontinued,ignoringhiscommand.“Youwere
dissected by Interlopers. And your parents haven’t come to see you? Not once?”
Jason’sbodybecametense,asifherwordswerepunchesbeingthrownathis
chest.“Prettymuch.”
“Why?”
Jasonfinallylookedather.Hisbodyremainedrigidanddefensive,buthis
eyes now appeared soft and kind, as if something about him, however slight,
hadchanged.
“Mydad’sasenator.Heranapredominantlyanti-chimeracampaign.”His
nostrilsflaredwithrepugnance.“Itdoesn’tlookgoodforhimtohavea
chimerason.”
“So,what—that’sit?They’rejustgoingtopretendthatnoneofthisever
happened?”
“Itlooksthatway.”
Theairintheroomsuddenlyfeltthickandheated.Anintenseresentment
emanatedfromJason,fillingtheemptyspaceandcreatingapalpabletension.
Evefeltittoo—theanger,thescorn.Itwaspersonaltoher,becauseJasonwas
oneof herkind,andthroughthat,ifthatalone,theywereconnected.
“Wow.”Shefurrowedherbrow.“Yourparentsareassholes.”
Jason’seyessuddenlydartedtowardher.“Excuseme?”
“They’re assholes,” she repeated, this time much more firmly. “Frankly, they’reprobablydoingyouafavor,notcominghere.Ibetthey’rereallyawful
tobearound.Theysoundlikeit,atleast.”
Jason stared at her in silence. His eyes widened and his lips parted as if to speak, but he said nothing. Finally, after a moment of debilitation, he broke intoasmallfitoflaughter.
“What’ssofunny?”
“Youknow,mostpeoplejustsay,‘Hanginthere,’or‘They’llcome
around.’”
“WhywouldIsaythat?”shescoffed.“Ifanything,theyprobably won’tcome around,whatwiththembeingassholesandall.”
Hislaughterturnedintoanuproar,andEvegazedbackathiminshock.
“Seriously,whatis sofunny?”
Hecalmedhimself,thoughonlyslightly,andofferedherawarmsmile.“I
thinkyoumightbethemosthonestpersonI’veevermet.”
Honest—itwassomethingEvehadn’tbeensinceshe’dfirststartedat
Billington,andshesuddenlyfoundherselffeelingexposedandembarrassed.
Sheshruggeddefensively.“Sorry?”
“Don’tapologize.It’sagoodthing…anicechangeofpace.”
Jasonlookeddifferent,Evethought—accessibleandmaybeeventhe
slightestbitpleasant—butthechangeleftEveuncomfortableandrestless.
Eagertoendthemoment,sheglancedathersurroundingsforanewobjectto
“Let’stryagainwithsomethingalittlelesslife-threatening.”
Sheabruptlymelted,andabarofsoapsoaredontoJason’slap.
“Now,dothesamethingyoudidlasttime,except”—sheshuddered—“try
nottothinkaboutyourparents.”
Jasonloosenedhismusclesandlethisarmsfalltohissides.Within
moments,hewasmelting.Evefeltasurgeofprideandsurprise—pride
becauseherstudentwasprogressingsoquickly,andsurprisebecauseshewas
actuallyproudofhiminthefirstplace.Shewatchedasthebarofsoapquickly wiggledinplaceandthenbouncedupfromthebed,slowlyandclumsily
bobbedthroughtheair,andthenfinallyploppedontoherlap.Jasonglancedat
histutorandgrinned.
“Better?”
“Muchbetter!”Eveheldupthebarofsoapasifitwereatrophy.“Andyou didn’tkillanyoneintheprocess.”
Jason’soncedark,emptyeyeswerenowilluminated,consumedwitha
newfounddynamismastheyeagerlyscannedtheroom.“Iwanttotry
somethingelse.Somethingharder.”
“Ha,”Evelaughedcondescendingly.“Sorry,butthat’snotyourcall.You
don’tmaketherulesaroundhere.”
Jasonignoredher;hiseyescontinuedtopanacrosstheroomsearchingfor
somethingtoplaywith.Atlasttheylandedonatallfloorlamprestingbythe
doorway.
“No,Jason—”
“Eve,relax.”
She stopped for a
moment, stunned that he had remembered her name. She shookherheadandcrossedherarms.
“It’sdangerous.”
Jasonlookeddownathisstapledchestandbackupather.“Seriously?Ithink
Icanhandleit.”
“Isaidno—”
Itwastoolate—withoutherblessing,Jasonstaredatthelampandlethisbody
go loose. His eyes were like daggers, willing the lamp to come to life, and withinsecondsitbegantoshakeinplace.Asthelampteeteredacrossthe
floor,Jason’scheeksflushedandhisshouldersbecamerigid.
“You’retensingup,”Evewarned.“Easeoffabit.”
Jasoncontinuedwithoutrelenting.Hishandsbegantotrembleathissides,and
heballedthemintofists.
“OkayJason,stop,”Eveurged.“You’reconcentratingtoohard.”
Jasonclosedhiseyesandclenchedhisfistseventighter,andthelampbegan
tobounceuncontrollably.
“Jason, stopit.”Sheclutchedhisarm.“Stopit rightnow.”
Shefeltsomethingdrippingontoherhandandlookeddown:one,two,three
dropletsofbloodtrickleddownherknucklesandbetweenherfingers.She
lookedupatJasonandgasped—hisnoseandearswerebleeding,eachwitha
steadystreamoffieryredthatcrawleddownhisfaceandneck.Hereyes
frantically scanned his body, and she realized it was even worse than she had expected:pocketsofbloodwereseepingthroughthestaplesonhischest,
runningdownhisabdomenanddrippingontohisnowspottedsheets.
“JASON!”shebarked,violentlyshakinghisarm.
Jasonfinallyrelented,endinghismeltandforcinghissensesbacktoreality.
Helookeddownatthebloodymesshecreatedandfroze,hiseyeslargewith
shock.
“Shit.WhatdidIjustdo?”
Eve rushed to the sink and grabbed a towel. “I told you not to overexert yourself.”SheranthetowelunderthefaucetandracedbacktoJason.“Doyou
wantmetogetanurse?”
“No.” Jason raised his hand, urging her to stop. “I can take care of it.” He wipedthebloodawayfromhisnose,smearingitacrosshisfaceintheprocess.
EveliftedherragtoJason’schest,buthegrabbedherwristandstoppedher,
hisbodytaut.
Evelookedhimintheeye.“Itwon’thurt.”
“Eve,Igotit.“
Sherolledhereyes.“Don’tbesostubborn.Letmehelpyou.”