mean,areyouscared?”
Jasonsmirked.“After this?”Hepointedtohischest.“Nothingscaresme.”
Hisvoice,thoughstrong,waslacedwithsomethingelse:somethingraw.
Eve glanced at his scar; after so many days together she hardly noticed it anymore, but there it was, slightly smoother than the day before, though still justasdaunting.
“Whataboutyou?”Jasonasked.
“Whatdoyoumean,whataboutme?”
“Aren’tyouworried?Aren’tyouafraidthey’llcomeforyou?”
Evepaused,staringoffatthewallassheruminatedoverthequestion.“You
know, I haven’t really thought about it.” She sat still for a moment, her eyes distantandglossyuntiltheyfinallymadetheirwaybacktoJason.“No,Iguess
I’mnot.”
“Whynot?”
Shetookonelastlookathisscarandthenstareddownatherhands.Hereyes
landedonthepencil-thinblemishacrossherpalm—theoneshe’d
receivedfromaseventh-graderwieldingaknife.
“Therearesomethingsinthisworldthatareworsethanaliens.”
“Well,I’mworried.”
“Youjustsaidyouweren’t—”
“Foryou,Eve.I’mworriedforyou.”
Theireyesmet.Evecrossedherarmsandquicklylookedaway.
“So,Iwasdoingsomeresearch,”Jasoncontinued,“aboutchimeras.”He
pausedforasecondandsmiled.“Didyouknowtheaveragechimeragoes
throughemergencebetweentheagesoftwenty-oneandtwenty-five?”
“OfcourseIknowthat,”shescoffed.
“Butyou’renineteen.”
“Yeah,so?”
“Andyou’realsothestrongestchimeraintheworld,right?Whichmeans
youmust’vehadyourgiftforawhilenow.”
Evewrinkledhernose.“Whatareyougettingat?”
“You’reholdingoutonme,Eve.”
“Dammit,Jason,arewedoingthisagain?”
“I’mjustcurious—”
“Andpushy,andinvasive—”
“It’s like pulling teeth with you, every time,” Jason groaned. “You can talk about melting or school or the weather for hours, but if I ask one question about you,it’saproblem.”
BeforeEvecouldformarebuttal,shestoppedherself;hewasright,muchto
herchagrin.Whereshecamefrom,everyoneknewherstory—buttoJasonshe
wasamystery,awell-keptsecret,admittedlybyherownchoosing.
Therewasnouseinhidingthetruth—healreadyknewtoomuch,anyway.
Sheclearedherthroat,stareddownatherhands,andreluctantlyspoke.
“MyparentswerekilledinacarcrashwhenIwaseightyearsold.Iwatched
ithappen.”
Jasonwassilentforamoment,hiseyeswide,hisbodystiff.
“OhGod,”hefinallymuttered.“Iamsucha dick.”
“Jason—”
“Ishould’ve neverasked.Itwasn’tmyplace.”
“It’sokay,Jason,Ipromise.”Shehesitated,nervouslyfiddlingwithher
cuticles.“Itwasalongtimeago.”
Hegrumbled,stillirritatedwithhimself.“Soyou’vehadyourgiftsinceyou
wereeightyearsold?Itmakessense,then,whyyou’rethebest.”
“Yearsofpractice—practice youshouldbegettingrightnow.”
“Withallduerespect,we’vemeltedeverythinginthisroom.There’snothing
lefttomove,but—”
“Me.”
Jasondidadoubletake.“What?”
Evegrinned,amusedbyhissurprise.“You’reright.You’vemanipulated
everythinginhere,andyou’vebeengoodatittoo.It’stimeforthenextstepin yourtraining.”Shefoldedherlegsbeneathher.“Youmovedpeopleduring
youremergence.Youcanmoveme.”
“Yeah,butthatwasdifferent.Iwas freaking out.”
Everolledhereyes.“I’vetoldyouthisalready:youremergenceisadirect
reflectionofhowpowerfulyourgiftwillbe.”
Hestoppedandsmiled.“Whatdid youmoveduringyouremergence?”
“Atruck.”
“Dammit,Eve.Waytostealmythunder.”
Shesmirked.“Comeon,giveitashot.”
“Yousurethisisagoodidea?”
“No,”shelaughed,“butifyoucanmovemejusttheslightestbitrightnow,
onlytwoweeksintoyourtraining…”Shepaused,hereyesbrightwith
anticipation.“You’regoingtobeunstoppable.”
“WhatifIhurtyou?”
“Don’tflatteryourself.”Shewinked.
Withachuckle,Jasoncrackedhisback,loosenedhisshoulders,and
preparedforthechallengeinfrontofhim.Helethishandsfalltohissides,his palms facing up toward the ceiling, and Eve could see the far-off look in his eyesthattoldherhewasmelting.Theexcitedpoundingofherheartwas
distracting, beating in her eardrums and her throat, making it impossible for hertoremaincalm. Please,shethoughttoherself ,letthiswork.
Shedidn’timmediatelynoticewhenhiseyeslosttheirfarawaylook,butshe
sawitnow:hisstarewasintenseandfixedonher,theireyeslockedasifdrawn
togetherbyamagneticforce.Jasonlosthismelt;heblinkedandlookedaway.
“Sorry.Can’tseemtofocus,”hemumbled.
“Closeyoureyes.”
“Oh…”
“Imean,”shestammered,“it’llprobablyhelp.That’sall.”
Again,Jasonrelaxedintoastateofmelting,thistimewithhiseyesshut.Eve
exhaledandsquirmedinherseat,waitingimpatientlyformagictohappen rightthereinthatroom.Thesuspensewasmaddening,thequietastorturousas
nailsstreakingacrossachalkboard,butshetriedtopacifyheranxiousenergy.
Jason could do it—there wasn’t a doubt in her mind, though the seconds felt like intolerable hours, and she couldn’t stand to wait much longer. A faint pricklingsensationcoursedthroughherbody:sheassumeditwashernerves
stirringwithinher,sendingatremorfromthenapeofhernecktoherfingers
and toes. She took a look down at the floor as the chill grew stronger, and suddenlysheknewwherethefeelingwascomingfrom.
“Jason,openyoureyes.”
HisgazeslowlymadeitswayfromthefloortoEve,andaglintofawelitup
hisface.Evewashoveringafootaboveherchair.Shewasfloating.
“Holyshit…”hemurmured.
“Youdidit.You really didit.”
Jasonwasstill,hislipsslightlypartedashestaredbackather.Finally,he
gently nodded his chin, following the motion of Eve’s body as he rested her backinherseat.
“Thanksforthesmoothlanding,”shequipped.
“Holyshit,”herepeated.HelookedatEveasifhewereseeingherforthe
veryfirsttime.“Holy. Shit.Didyouseethat?”
“Idid.”
“Thatwas unreal.”
“Feltrealtome.”
Hewasquiet,hiseyespanningfromEve’sfacedowntohisopenpalms.
“You’rereallypowerful,Jason.”Evejumpedfromherseat,tooinspiredto
sitstill.“Mostchimerasneverusetheirgift.They’retooscared.Andthosewho
do—theycanmeltpebbles,pencils,maybebooks.”Hersmilewasradiant.
“Youcanmelt people.Thatmeanssomething.”
Eve’sfacesuddenlydropped;Jason’sexcitementhadfadedintonothingness,
hisexpre
ssionnowbleakandsomber.
“Jason,I’mkindofshoweringyouwithcomplimentshere.Thisdoesn’t
happenveryoften,youknow.”
Heranhisfingersthroughhishairasheoftendidwhiledeepinthought.
“Canyouimaginewhatwecoulddoifweweren’t here,”hegrowled,“stuckin thisroom?”
Shefrowned.“Gotacaseofcabinfever?”
“Youhave noidea.”Jasonwanderedtowardthewindowandpeeredbetween
theblinds.“TheykeeptellingmeI’mnotwellenoughtoleaveyet.”Helooked
back at Eve, his eyes dark and feverish. “Look at me. I’m fine. I’ve been fine for days.Butthey’rekeepingmehereanyway,andtheywon’tgivemeareal reasonwhy.”
Evesankintoherchair;shewatchedhimhoverbythewindow,pacingback
and forth like a caged animal, and realized that he was exactly that: caged, confined,andhiddenfromtheworld.
“IneedtogetoutofherebeforeIgocrazy,”hecontinued.“Theonlything
keepingmesaneis—”Hepaused.“Mysessions.Withyou.”
Anawkwardsilencefilledtheroom.EvecouldfeelJason’sanxietyandhis
penetrating stare—she had to change the subject. Her eyes panned across the spaceuntiltheyreachedthestackofgiftsinthecornerbyhisdesk.
“Ihaveaquestionforyou.”Shenoddedherheadtowardthepile.“Why
haven’tyoutouchedthose?”
Herolledhiseyes.“They’renotforme.”
“Really?Becauseyourname’swrittenallover’em.”
“They’rebasicallyformyparents.”Heglaredatthecolorfulstackasifit
weremockinghim.“Justabunchofweakattemptstowinfavorwithmydad.
Toobadheneverstoppedbytoseejusthowmanypeoplearedyingtokisshis
ass.”
“So,you’rejustgoingtoleavethemthere?”
Heshrugged.“Idon’twantanythingtodowiththosepeople.I’venevereven
methalfofthem.”
Thoughhetriedtoconcealit,Evecouldsensethebitternessinhiswords.
She didn’t blame him; the life he had lived was miles from hers—a life of comfortandaffluence—andyetthejadedlookonhisfacewasonesheherself
hadwornmanytimesbefore.Theywerethesameinthatway.
Withaspringinherstep,shetrottedtowardJason’spileofpresentsandrustled throughtheheap.
“Therehastobesomethingherefromsomeoneyouknow.”
“Youdon’thavetodothat—”
“Comeon,Jason.”Evesmiledasshesortedthroughthepackages.“It’slike
Christmasoverhere.You’restuckinthisroomallday.Youshouldhavealittle
fun.”
“Meltingisfun.”
“Ithoughtmeltingwasacurse?”
“You’renevergoingtoletmelivethatdown,huh?”
“Probablynot.”
“Okay,”hefolded,“youwin.Handmeadamngift.”
Evedidn’tknowwhatshewaslookingfor;noneofthenameswerefamiliar
toher,thoughsheassumedthatwouldbethecase.Andthenshestumbled
acrossit—thesmallblueboxthathadservedastheirplaythingforthepasttwo
weeks.Sheremovedaheart-shapedcardfromunderneaththebowandscanned
thetext:
To:JasonA.Valentine
LotsofLove:MadisonMariePalmer
“Madisonsentyouagift?”
“OhGod,putthatoneback.Betteryet,burnit.”
Eveignoredhisrequest,tossingthegiftontohislap.“Youhavetoopenthis.”
“Why?”
“Justdoit.”
“Fine,Iguess.”Hetoreatthepaperandrevealedaboxcoveredindiamond flecks.“Oh, thisisverymasculine…”
“What’sinside?”
Jasonslowlyopenedthesparklyboxasiffearfulofitscontents.Hestopped
for a moment, his eyes bulged—and he laughed aloud, practically moved to tearsbywhateverwasinside.Withgreatreluctance,hereachedinsideand
pulledoutascanty,brightpinklacethong.
“Thisisajoke,right?”heasked.“Didyouknowaboutthis?”
Eve’sjawdropped.“Shecan notbeserious!”
“Youdon’tgettopickoutanymoregifts,Eve.”
“GoodGod,Ican’tbelievewe’vebeenlevitatingMadison’s underwearthis
wholetime.”
“Toldyouweshould’veburnedit!”
“Itdoesn’tmakesense,”shestuttered.“She demotedyou.”
“Wait,demoted?What?”
“Nothing.”Hercheeksflushedandsheshookherhead.“Thiswasabad
idea.”Shehurriedlygatheredherthingstogether.“Ihavetogo.”
“Really?Already?”
“Ihavehomework,”sheanswered,pullinghershoulderbagoverherarm
andracingforthedoor.
“Oh…”Jasonmumbled.“Butyouusuallystaysomuchlonger…”
She stopped by the exit, her hand hovering an inch above the doorknob. “I know,I’msorry.”HereyeswanderedbacktoJasonandthentoMadison’spink
skivviestossedtothesideoftheroom,andshecringed.“I’llseeyou
tomorrow.”
Ahalf-secondlater,shewasbarrelingthroughtheisolationwing,desperate
toleaveJason’sroomandMadison’spantiesfarbehindher.Therewasno
explanationforwhathadhappenedthere—atleast,norationalone—andshe
quicklydecidedthatshewouldn’tbothertryingtomakesenseofitall.Still,the imageofMadison’sunderthingswasingrainedinherthoughtslikeafoul
branding,somuchsothatshecompletelyforgottoevenchecktheclerk’sdesk
forHeather—shewasn’tthere,regardless—andinsteadkeptchargingforward.
doorsopened,revealingafriendlyfacewaitingforherontheotherside.
“Eve!”Armaanchirped.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
Evegrimacedasshesteppedintotheelevator.“Leaving.Whatare youdoing here?”
“I’mtryingtobecomeamedicalstudent—I’m alwayshere,”Armaan
mumbled.“AreyoudonewithJasonalready?Don’tyouusuallystickarounda
lotlonger?”
“Ihavehomework,”Evegrumbled.
“Well,itdoesn’tmatter.Iwasswingingbytopickyouupanyway.”
“Me?Why?”
“DeanFurstwantstoseeyou.”
“Furst?Really?Whatfor?”
“HowshouldIknow?I’mjustthe babysitter.”
Eveglancedoveratherfriend.Hisusuallypluckysparkwasmissing,and
hisfacelookedtiredanddrained.
“Youokay?”
“Yeah,I’mfine,”hesighed,leaninghisbackagainstthewalloftheelevator.
“It’sjustthateverythingishappening aroundme,andit’slikeI’mjust…Idon’t know.Watching.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“There’ssomuchgoingon,youknow?Liketoday,withtheabduction.“
ArmaanlookedupatEve,hiseyesfilledwithsadness.“Icouldhelp,youknow.
Icoulddo something.”
“Armaan,that’swhatthepatrolmenarefor.That’s theirjob.”
“Thepatrolmenareabunchof hammers— ”
“Armaan— ”
“I’mjustsaying , ”hemoanedastheelevatordoorsfinallyopened,“Iwantto beapartofsomething big,Eve.Likeyou.”
“Me?”Shelaughed.“I’mnotapartofanything.”
“
Butyou’renursinganattackvictimbacktohealth.“
“Nursing? God,youmakeitsoundlikeI’m breastfeedingtheguy.”
“You’re involved,Eve.AndI’mnothing.Ijust…fadeintothebackground.”
ShestoppedandstaredbackatArmaan.Shefeltforhim—itwashardnotto.
“Youwantmyadvice,kid?”
Armaanshrugged.“Sure.”
Eveleanedforward,strugglingtoreacheyelevelwithherpint-sizedescort,
andputherhandsonherhipsauthoritatively.“Ifyouwantpeopletoseeyou,
youhaveto makethemseeyou.”
Hesmirked.“Interestingsuggestioncomingfromthegirlwhohates
attention.”
“Well,that’sthedifferencebetweenyouandme,Armaan,”shemuttered.“I
don’twanttobeseen.”
ArmaanleftEvestandinginfrontofthedean’sbuilding,alocationshehad
hoped she’d never have to visit again. She stared at the door as if it were an obstacletoovercomeandcursedtoherselfasshefinallymadeherwayintothe
lobby.Thestrikingreceptionistwasatherdesk,andsheraisedhereyes
slightlyasthedoorsclosedbehindEve.
“MissKingston—heretoseeDr.Furst,yes?”
Evenoddedandpromptlyfollowedthegolden-hairedbeautydownthe
hallwaytoDeanFurst’sofficedoor.Hermoodhadtakensuchaterribleturn,
andthethoughtoftheirlastvisitonlysouredherspiritsfurther.Thefirsttime they’dmet,hehadforcedhertotutorJason.Andnow,anewchimerahadbeen
abducted.Washistorydoomedtorepeatitself?
Theroomseemedmuchquieterthanthelasttime,almostunpleasantlystill.
Furstofferednosmilenorwelcome—justbeckonedhertowardhimand
pointed at the seat in front of his desk, instructing her to sit. As before, he scribbledacrossanothernever-endingstackofpapersonhisdeskandignored
herwhilesheimpatientlyshookherfoot,waitingforthemantospeak.
“Isthisabadtime?”
Furstlookedupfromhispaperwork,seeminglyaggravatedbyherpresence.
“Ifitwas,Iwouldn’thavecalledforyou.”
“Whydidyouneedtoseemesourgently?”
“Iwouldn’tcallthismeeting‘urgent.’Simply”—hepaused—“convenient.”
“Convenientfor you,”shemumbled.
Furstignoredhergripingandflippedthroughhisdocumentsnonchalantly.