Jasonhesitatedforamoment,hisgripfirmandhiseyesfocused,studyingher
like a book. He was skeptical—it was written all over his face, the doubt and suspicion.Everecognizedthatlook;itwasoneshehadwornmanytimes
herself, but she was not going to fold under the weight of his stare. With a heavy sigh, Jason reluctantly surrendered, finally releasing his grasp on her wrist.Heflinchedonlyslightlyassheslidthedamptowelacrosshisfaceand
chest,delicatelydabbingatthereopenedwounds.
“Ishould’velistenedtoyou,”Jasonmuttered.“Ishould’vestoppedwhenyou
toldmeto.”
“Yeah,youshould’ve,”Evegrumbled.
Jasonwatchedherhands—theyweregentleandgracefulastheyglided
acrosshisskin,astarkcontrasttoherabrasivedisposition.
“So,whatexactlyhappenedtome?”
“Whenyouoverdoit,”Evebegan,keepinghergazeonhisbloodiedchest,
“whenyoutrytopushyourpowertoalevelyou’renotquitecapableof,your
bodystartstorebelagainstyourmind.That’swhenthebleedinghappens.”She
couldfeelJason’seyesonherandmethisgaze.“It’snotabigdeal,justaslong asyoustopbeforeitgetstooserious.”
“Whatwould’vehappenedifIhadn’tstopped?”
Shehesitated.“Idon’treallyknow,honestly.Idon’tthinkanyone’severletit
get to that point.” She patted down the last staple, her towel now spotted with darkpatchesofblood.“Allchimerasbleedatsomepoint.Don’tbeatyourself
upoverit.”
JasonglancedatthestainedragandthenbackatEve.“Thanks,”hesaid,“for
beingpatientwithme.”
Thestatementwasalmostcomical,aspatiencehadneverexactlybeenEve’s
strongestvirtue,butshecouldtellthathewasbeingsincere.Theysattogether
insilence.Jasonwasfinallycalm,hisbodyrelaxedandfreefromanger—and
in turn Eve felt anxious. She suddenly noticed the blood-soaked towel still in hergrip.
“Thisisgross.Ishouldwashit.”
Shetrompedtowardthesink,clumsilykickinghershoulderbagoverinthe
process.Allofitscontentsscatteredacrossthefloor,includingherEverlasting Diamond, which rolled to the center of the room. Eve tossed the rag into the
sinkandmutteredunderherbreathassheshovedherthingsbackintoherbag, makingsuretosecurethediamondinasidepocket.Asshestoodtoherfeet,
shelookedbackatJason,whowasstaringatherwithhisnosewrinkled.
“What?”shesnapped.
“Wasthatadiamond?”
“Yeah.So?”
“Youjustcarrydiamondsaroundwithyou?”
“Ihaven’tfoundasafeplacetoputit,that’sall.”
Hepausedforamoment,hiseyesdartingtothespotonthefloorwherethe
diamondoncesat.“Didsomeonegivethattoyou?”
Evescowled.“AreyouimplyingthatI stoleit?”
“Wow,you’rereading waytoomuchintowhatIsaid—”
“Itwasa gift.”Shefoldedherarms.“Frommyroommate.”
“Your roommate? ” His eyes widened. “Please don’t tell me you’re rooming withMadisonPalmer.”
Evefidgeteduncomfortably,refusingtoanswerhim,buthersilencewasthe
onlyresponseheneeded,andhelaughedunapologeticallyatherexpense.
“It’s notfunny!”shespat,hercheeksflushed.
“Iknewit!”hechuckled.“Everywherethatgirlgoessheleavesbehindatrail
ofdiamonds.”
“Stoplaughing!”
“God,Eve,youreallygottheshortendofthestickwiththatone.”
Beforeshecouldsayanotherword,shestoppedherself.Shewantedtobe
angry with him—to curse at him as she had the day before—but his laughter wassomuchmoreengagingthanhisangst,andshesuddenlyfoundherselfa
littlebitamused.Sheleanedagainsthisbedframeandsmirked.
“So,youknowmypain,huh?”
“Ipityyou,Eve.”
JasonshieldedhimselfasEvejokinglyswattedathisleg,theirlaughter
echoingdownthehallwayoftheisolationwing.
***
“Ms.Biello,thisiswhatyoursisterandbrother-in-lawwanted.”
Thewell-dressedmanslidthedocumentsacrossthetabletowardthewoman.
Shewasstillshaking,herfacepaleandsullen.
“Iknow,”shereplied,hervoicewavering,“buteverything’schanged—”
“Ms.Biello,she’sjustachild.”HelookedoveratEve,whowassittingonthe
floorinthelivingroomwithherbacktowardthem.Shepretendedtoplay
withherdollsbutkeptherattentionontheirconversation.
“Sheis notjustachild.Don’tyoudaretrytoconvincemeotherwise.”
Themanletoutanimpatientsigh.“She’syourfleshandblood.She’syour
latesister’sdaughter—”
“She’sa monster—”
“She’syour family.”
“Isawwhatshedid.Iwasthere,youknow.”
Themanclearedhisthroatandgentlyrestedhispeninfrontofher.“Signthe
papers.Welcomeyournieceintoyourhome.Trynottolethersituationcloud
yourjudgment.”
“Her situation? Is that what they’re calling it these days? Tell me, would you feelsafewithsomeonelikeherlivinginyourhome?”
Evewinced,painedbytheman’ssilence.Shefelthereyesbrimmingwith
tearsbutquicklywipedthemaway,refusingtoletherselffeelthestinginside
ofher.
“I’dfeelgoodknowingthatIhadfulfilledmysister’swishes.That’showI’d
feel.”
“There’snooneelse?”
“Ms.Biello,yourparentsareinanassistedlivingfacility.Yourbrother-in-
law’sparentsaredeceased,andhisonlybrotherlivesinLondon.”
“Didyouaskhim?”
“Ms.Biello—”
“Didyou?”
“Susan,please—”
“It’sasimplequestion.”
Themansighedoncemore.“Hislifestyleisn’tsuitableforachild.”
“So he doesn’twanthereither?”
“Hisjobrequireshimtotravel.Besides,”themanleanedforwardand
pushedthepenclosertoSusan,“yoursisterwanted you.”
Evecouldhearherauntsoftlycrying,andshecringedatthesoundofit.
“Fine.”Eve’sauntgrabbedthepenandgrippedittightly.“I’lldoitforJanine.I lovedmysister.”
“Andashortwhileago,youlovedEvelyn,didn’tyou?”
“Oh,don’ttrytomakemefeelguilty.Everything’scompletelydifferent
now.”
Susanscribbledhersignatureacrossthedocumentsandclosedhereyesasa
tearsliddownhercheek.Themanretrievedthepaperworkandstood.
“Congratulations,Ms.Biello.Youarenowthelegalguardianofyourniece,
EvelynKingston.”
AsuddenpainsurgedinEve’sside—asharpjabtotheribsthatnearlysent
her tumbling from her chair. She grimaced and stretched her back, her mind still hazy from the nightmare, and noticed a pair of dusty, unlaced sneakers proppeduponherdesk.
Evegrowledunderherbreath.“Didyoujust kickme?”
JJchuckledsmugly.“Riseandshine,princess.Classwasdismissedearly.I
thoughtaboutlettingyousithere,butitjustseemedtoocruel
.”
Evelookedaround;shewasintheStrategicCommunicationlecturehall,the
roompracticallyemptyasidefromthetwogirlsandoneadditionalbody:
MarshallWoodgatestoodbythedoor,mutteringtohimselfashestaredoutthe
window.
“He’swaitingforhisbodyguards.Mustsuck,needingconstantsupervision.
But then again, you’re the one sleeping in class. Maybe you could use a babysittertoscheduleamoreconvenientnaptime.”
“Ihaven’tbeensleepingwell.”
“I’msorry,didIsoundconcerned?Mymistake,”JJscoffed.
Everolledhereyes.“Whywasclassletoutearly?”
“GuptagotcalledtoameetingwithFurst.Everyonedid.”
“Everyone?”
“Theentirefaculty.”
“Why?”Evepaused.“Doesithavetodowiththeattacks?”
JJopenedhermouthtospeakbutstoppedherself.Instead,sheglaredatEve
andfoldedherarms.“AndhowthehelldoyouthinkI’dknowthat?Betteryet,
why do you even care about the attacks, Rutherfordian? Shouldn’t you be off countingyourhundred-dollarbills?”
Evescowled;therewasnouseintryingtoreasonwiththegirl,andso
without another word, she gathered her things and charged out of the lecture hall,leavingJJandthepresident’ssonfarbehindher.
Afteralongandlistlessstroll,Evereachedthewomen’slockerroom,
whereshechangedintoheruniformbeforejoininghercombatclassonthe
football field. They set off across the track, their boots pounding against the dustypathway,thesoundechoinginEve’sears.Arigorousrunwould’vebeen
refreshing,butsheknewalltoowellthat this run—thispitiful,effortlesstrot—
would leave her feeling unsatisfied. As much as it pained her to do so, she
slowedherpaceandallowedherselftobeswarmedbyherenormous classmates.Theypantedandgroanedastheyran,theirfaces,chests,andbacks
drippingwithsweat,andallthewhileEvewasbreezyandunaffected.Theonly
heatshefeltwasthefireburninginsideher—aragingrancortowardherself,
fortheweakdisplayshewasforcedtofake,forthenightlyvisionsthathaunted
her without reprieve. She basked in her anger, hardly noticing that Captain Ramseywascallingherfromacrossthefield.
“Kingston!Canyoueven hearme?”Ramseyshouted.
Evejumpedandlookedoveratthecaptain,whowasangrilypacingacross
thefield.ChinDimple,whohadbeentrailingherforseverallaps,joggedup
besideher,asnidesmileplasteredacrosshisface.
“Timeforyourcookingclasses?”hesneered.“Getlost,girl.”
Evegrittedherteeth;nomatterhowmuchshewantedtoactout,toshowjust
whatshethoughtofhim,sheresistedthetemptation.Asherclassmatesveered
aroundher,shejoggedtowardthecaptain,herfacebashfulandapologetic.
“Sorry,Captain.”
“God,Kingston,youdeaf?”
“Iwasjustinthezone,Iguess.”
“Psh,zone.”Ramseyshookhisheadandstaredoffattherestofhisstudents.
Afteramomentofsilence,helookedbackatEve,hiseyesfierceand
penetrating.
“Kingston,youknowwhatIhatemorethananythingelse?”Heleanedin towardher.“Slackers.”Heturnedhisheadtospitonthelawnandthenlooked
backatheroncemore.“Ain’tnothin’worsethanaslacker.”
“Captain,I’mnotsurewhatthishastodowithme.”
“You’reholdingback,Kingston.”
“What?”Evefaltered.“Idon’tunderstand.Mytimesaregood—they’re
betterthangood,actually.Ikeepupwiththeboys,I’mholdingmyweight.I’m
doingjustaswellaseveryoneelse.”
“I’m not asking you to do as good as those guys. I’m asking you to push yourself.Putyourfulleffortin.”
“ButIam,Captain—”
“You’reslackin’,Kingston.Youknowit,andIknowit.”
“Captain,mytimesare good.”
“Kingston.”Hefixedhiseyesonhers.“I knowwhatyou are.”
Thewordshitherlikeatonofbricks.Heleanedinevencloser,andhistone
becamesternandforceful.
“Evenbeforethisdamntutoringshit.Icouldtellsincedayone.YouthinkI
don’tknowwhatyou’recapableof?”
Evelookeddownatherfeet;shetriedtospeak,todefendherdismalefforts,
butshesaidnothingandinsteadsavoredthebittertasteofshameonhertongue.
“Look,Kingston,ifyouwanttopassthisclass,you’regonnahavetogiveme
onehundredpercent,youhearme?There’snoslackingallowedonmy
watch.”
“But—”
“Butnothing.Westartdrillstomorrowandsparringinacoupleofweeks.I
needtoseeahugeturnaroundbythen.You willgivemeeverythingyougot,or youwillfail.”Hedidn’twaitforhertoargueandimmediatelynoddedhishead
towardthegymnasium.“Timeforyourtutoringdeal.Yourescortiswaitingby
thelockers.”
Eve desperately wanted to explain herself, but everything she came up with soundedweakandpathetic.Withoutalastwordandwithatroublingsenseof
defeat,shemadeherwaytothelockerroomandquicklychangedbackintoher
businessattire.Sheadjustedhervestandmatchingtrousersandstaredat
herself in the mirror. She looked strong and professional, but inside she felt conflictedandcontrived.Wouldthepretendingevergetanyeasier?Noone
couldanswerthat,certainlynotEve,andsosheleftthelockerroomsandmet
withArmaan,whostoodpatientlybythedoubledoorsofthegym.
“Goodday?Readytotutor?”hechirpedasthetwosomeheadedforthe
Eve’sresponsewaslacklusterincomparison.“Youseemawfullycheerful.”
“Ofcourse,I’vebeenlookingforwardtothisallday!”
“Thatmakesoneofus.”
“Comeon,aren’tyoutheleastbitexhilarated?”
“Exhilarated?”
“Thiswholething,it’sexciting!”
“Wow,”Evemurmured,“you’rereallyhypedoffthisarrangementwe’ve
gotgoingon.”
“Eve,youhavetounderstand—thisisthebestthingthat’shappenedtomein
myentire life.”
“Walking metothemedicalwardisthebestthingthat’shappenedtoyou?
Ever?”Shechuckled.“Youneedtogetoutmore.”
Armaanrolledhiseyes.“Overthespanofmyacademiccareer,I’veskipped
fourgrades.Thisistheonlyformof‘gettingout’thatIdo.”Hefrowned.“Sad,
right?”
“Well,littleman,I’mtheonewiththebabysitter.Who’ssadnow?”
“You? Sad?Hardly!”Armaanrebutted.“Ifanything,you’retheexact
opposite—impressive.Awe-inspiring!”
“Flatterywillgetyounowhere,sir.”
Armaan’s eyes lit up with fervor. “What you did yesterday with the feather mademerealizethatIhaveaonce-in-a-lifetimeopportunityhere!”
“Andthatis?”
“Chimerasaremy world.Imean,I’mplanningonfocusingmyentirecareer
aroundyouguys,sonaturallyI’minterested,intrigued—”
“Obsessed?”Eveteased.
Armaancontinuedwithunrelentingexcitement.“Itmayhavebeenbychance
&nbs
p; —or,mostlikely,it’sbecausepeopleseemeasaneasypatsy—butbeing assignedasyourescortcouldopennewdoorsforme!Icouldlearnsomuch
fromyou.Imean,you arethemostpowerfulchimerainthe world.”
Evegrimaced.“SoI’veheard.Tellme,did everyoneknowthislittlefactbefore Idid?”
Armaan cowered. “Sorry. I just overheard it, that’s all. People tend to talk aroundmeasifI’mnotthere—asifIdon’texist.”
“Just—”
“Iknow.Don’ttellanyone.”
“Thanks.”
“So,I’mcurious,”hecontinued.“How’ditgoyesterdaywithJason?Didhe
usehisgift?Ishegoodatit?”
Evelookedawayuncomfortably.“I’mnotsureI’mevenallowedtotalk
aboutthis.MaybeIshouldbeaskingyou,sinceyouseemtoknowmorethanI
do.”
“Oh.”Armaanstaredathisfeet.“Yeah,Iguessthatmakessense.Student-
teacherconfidentialityandall.”
Thetwocontinuedalongthepathwayinsilence.Armaan’sfacewaspointed
attheground,justasithadbeenthemomenttheyfirstmet,andallEvecould
seeofhimwashisthickmassofhair.Shecouldn’tbearhisdisappointmentany
longer.
“Hemeltedforthefirsttime.”
Armaanliftedhishead,hisfacebrightandradiantonceagain.“Really?
How’dhedo?”
“Hedidwell.”Shesmiled.“Hemovedasnowglobeandabarofsoap.”
“Sodynamic,”Armaansaid,nearlyskipping.
Theycrossedthecampussidebyside,liketwolifelongacquaintancesinthe
thick of a riveting conversation. It was unusual for Eve, and most likely for Armaantoo,butsheallowedherselftogetlostintheeaseofhiscompany.He
rambledendlesslyaboutthemagnificenceofhercapabilities,andalthoughshe
certainly appreciated the praise, what she appreciated most was the fleeting momentofpeace—ofreliefandeven happiness—thatshefeltathisside.
Astheymadetheirwaythroughthedoubledoorsofthemedicalward,Eve’s
attentionwastornfromherfriendtoascenejustashortdistanceaway:across
thelobbystoodDeanFurst,hisfaceriddledwithworryashespokeinhushed
whisperswithatall,uniformedman.Evehadneverseenthesecondman
before,butjudgingfromhismilitarydudsandmedals,sheknewhemustbea