“To keep you safe. Sanghani or Emerson might’ve been on Valk’s side. And I thought you”—he nodded at Torrance—“could be trusted. At least when you disobeyed orders back in Damford, it was with the goal of helping the girls, instead of hurting them.” He paused. “Still mutiny, though.”
Torrance had been staring out the window—probably at the oddly lit landscape soaring past us—but now glanced at Facet. “It was the right thing to do.”
“You’re extremely fired.”
She swallowed visibly. “Sure. But let’s get this over with, first. Do we know which of the Hazels were taken?”
“I expect they took Prime,” Facet said. “Don’t know who else.”
I tried to keep my face neutral. Prime? They had to think I was Alpha. Of course: The sweat suit, the lack of glasses. Getting dragged across the lawn kicking and screaming. Wearing no shoes would make me look shorter, and the mud had to obscure my hair length and any facial injuries that might distinguish us. If the rift had fried communications, no one from the evac team could’ve reported to those still on the grounds that two Hazels had swapped places, and there was no reason to suspect it.
With a pang, I realized: That was why Facet was being so curt. Even when he’d told us about the evacuation earlier that day, even when we’d been trapped under the net on Lina’s balcony, Facet had smiled. He’d spoken softly, he’d offered sympathy. He’d tried to put me at ease.
Apparently, putting Alpha at ease wasn’t a priority. Or maybe he knew Alpha was smart enough to see through it—the way I apparently never had.
“Listen,” Facet said, “if either of you wants out, tell me now. There’s still time to join the evacuation. I’m going to look for those girls, but it’ll be dangerous so close to the rift. And to Valk. I knew she disagreed with my decision, but I never expected her to turn on me, which means I don’t know what else she’s capable of.”
“No,” I said. “I’m in.”
“Good.” He said it so quick he must’ve expected the answer. “We can use you.”
No wonder. Alpha would probably be useful in a fight. If he knew I was Prime, he’d have sent me away to safety already.
“And I’ll do it,” I added. “I’m willing to die to close the rift. But we have to keep the other Hazels safe.”
“I’d prefer no one dies.”
“But—”
“Valk is acting on a theory. A handful of researchers put forward a plan; it was proposed, discussed, and rejected. I stand by my decision.”
“Sounds like I missed a fun meeting,” Torrance said. “I’m staying, by the way.”
“Why was the plan rejected?” I asked. “It makes sense.”
Past Facet, the highway flashed by. He kept his eyes on the road. “Maybe so. The rift went berserk the same night the other Hazels arrived. Throwing them back into the rift may mean the girls go home and the rift calms down. As I said, I expect Valk took one of the newer Hazels as well as Prime herself if she had the opportunity: If getting rid of the other girls doesn’t work, perhaps getting rid of Prime will. The rift first appeared when she was born. If she’s gone, maybe the rift follows.”
It sounded so logical. My gut felt heavy. I should’ve realized this solution sooner. Shouldn’t have discarded the notion so quickly. I’d been too naive, and the other Hazels—and the world—might pay the price.
“Here’s my take,” Facet went on. “If they’re wrong, we lose our best hope of actually fixing the rift.”
Torrance looked disturbed. “There’s also the minor issue of killing innocent teenagers who’ve been through enough already.”
“That, too.” He watched me via the rearview mirror. “You girls are our biggest lead. It’s not worth the risk.”
I could tell him and Torrance the truth—about who I was, about how to close the rift for good—but I couldn’t chance them changing their minds on letting me come with. Alpha would be useful; Prime would be a liability.
With the other Hazels in danger and the world outside shimmering white, it didn’t seem all that important whether they knew about the swap anyway.
Fields and trees and suburbs flashed by. I looked out the window, my jaw set, my face a tight line. I couldn’t stop worrying.
Worrying about the rift.
About the two Hazels downtown, and what would happen to them. What might’ve already happened. About the two Hazels still with the evacuation, and whether they knew what was going on. About Neven, and whether she escaped.
About Mom, who might not know about the swap, but who’d be worried sick either way. About Dad and Caro, and whether they were far enough from Philadelphia to be safe. About how much the three of them would grieve when they heard about my death.
About whether dying hurt.
I stared at the world outside, my head resting on the cool glass.
It was a December evening. Yet it looked like morning, with the sky brightening by the moment. The clouds thinned, turned into honeycomb patterns, then disappeared entirely, leaving a cobalt-blue sky once we entered Philadelphia. The light turned into a glare. As though the air itself glowed. Bit by bit, white seeped into the sky, banishing the blue.
Torrance leaned forward between the front seats, her eyes wide and worried.
Facet looked as steady as ever, with one exception: the tapping of one finger against the wheel.
“What’s the plan exactly?” Torrance stayed fixed on the world past the windshield. “Is there a plan?”
Facet’s finger went tap-tap-tap. “Find the girls. If they’re alive, keep them that way. Talk Valk and whoever else out of this stupid idea. If that doesn’t work . . .”
“Improvise,” I said.
“Precisely.” He caught my eye in the rearview mirror. “I thought your trolls could come in useful. I heard they’re still around.”
“Yeah. They’re following.” I aimed for Alpha’s odd combination of detachment and intensity. “Give me the knife.” I swallowed the automatic Could you please at the start of the sentence. “It’ll
