by Jenna Moreci
stumbledacrossthegymnasiumfloor.Hewasoutofbounds,andtechnically
that meant the match was finished, but Jason wasn’t stopping. He had a fire burning in his eyes—a seething strength that couldn’t be stifled until he was satisfied. Jason followed his opponent off of the mat and hooked him across thejaw,firstfromtheleftandthentherightuntilhisknuckleswerespattered
withthefootballer’sblood.
“OUTOFBOUNDS!”Ramseybarked.“MATCHISOVER!”
Jason ignored the captain and slugged his adversary straight in the eye. Chin Dimple teetered backward, his eyes clenched shut and his arms flailing, but Jason yanked at the footballer ’s torn shirt and head-butted him with savage aggression.ChinDimplecrumpledtotheground,hisbodycrashingtothe
floorwithaheavythunk.
Itwasover.Thecrowdwassilent,awedbywhatappearedtobethe
gruesomeendtoanepicmatch—butJasonmelted,liftingChinDimple’sfeeble
figureoffofthegroundandbackontohisfeet,hiseyeswidewithterror.
Jasongrabbedatthenecklineoftheboy’stanktopandpulledhimincloser.
“I’mnotfinishedwithyouyet,” hesneeredthroughgrittedteeth.
Jasonstruckthefootballeracrossthenoseoncemore,sendingbloodjetting
from his nostrils and spraying across the ground. Chin Dimple hobbled
backward,thetwofightersnowfarfromthemat,approachingtheoppositeend
ofthegymnasium.Jasonjabbedhisadversaryinthestomachandhookedhim
acrossthechin,hismovesfierce,swift,andunbelievablystrong.Ramsey
continuedtoscreamandblowhiswhistle,andthestudentscheered
barbarically,butJasondidn’thearanyofit.Hefeltadrenalinepulsingwithin
him,numbinghisbeatenfaceandrevitalizinghisweakenedbody.His
breathing was rapid, charged with an anger that could only be stifled by the defeatofhisopponent.AsChinDimplestumbledintothegymnasiumwall,
Jasonmeltedhimoffofhisfeetandpinnedhimthere,forcingthefootballerto
lookhimintheeye.
ChinDimpleforcedasmirkonhisbloody,tremblinglips.“Screwyou,”he
hissed,hiseyesnearlyswollenshut.“Screwyou,youdamn chime.”
Jasonpoundedhiminthechinwithasmuchpowerashecouldsummon,and
thefootballer’sunconsciousbodydroppedtotheground.Jason’schestheaved
ashestareddownathisconquest—hisvictory.Hisclassmatescheeredlike spectators at a sporting event, and he slowly made his way back toward the group,hisbrowfurrowedandhislipsandchinstillcoveredindryingblood.
HeglancedatEve,whosejawhadfallenopeninuttershock.
“Sorry,”hemuttered.“GuessIfoundthepassion.”
“VALENTINE!”Ramseyshouted.“COMPLETEDISREGARDFORTHE
RULES!BADFORMANDPOORCONDUCT!”Hepointedtothegymdoors.
“LAPS!NOW!”
“Yes,Captain,”Jasonmumbled.HelookedoveratEveonelasttime,her
eyesstillwidewithdisbelief,andthenranoutofthegymtowardthefield.
Thegymbuzzedwithexcitement.Theyoungmengawkedandguffawed,and
ahandfulofthemhelpedChinDimpletohisfeet,butEvewassilent,herbody
numbtohersurroundings,hereyesstaringblanklyattheblood-sprayedmat.
ShefeltRamseystandingbesideher.
“Idon’tknowwhattosay,”shemanagedtoutter.
Ramseywatchedasthefootballstarstruggledtomakehiswaytothelocker
room. “Don’t need to say anything,” he huffed. “The boy’s got ego. Too big forhisbritches.Ifhegetsanythingouttathisclass,I’mhopingit’llbeasense ofhumility.”
Evewrinkledhernose.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Imeantheboyneededanass-whoopin’morethananyoneelse.Youknow,I
kepttellin’himnottounderestimatehisenemy.Guesshisearsaren’tworkin’
right.”
Evesighed.“Well,regardless,thisscene,”shepaused,shudderingatthe
sightofthepoolsofblood,“itcan’tbegoodforyou—foryourpositionhere.
AndIcan’thelpbutfeelsomewhatresponsible.”
Ramseychuckled.“Theonlythingyou’reresponsibleforishelpinganold
soldierachieveapersonalgoal.”
“Excuseme?”
Hestaredoffintothedistance—outthedoubledoorsatthetrack,where
Jasonwasrunning—andforabriefsecond,hesmiled.
“I’vealwayswantedtotrainachimera.Thankstoyou,nowIgettotraintwo.”
***
Thecampuswasdarkanddreary,theblacknightskyashadowthatcloaked
EveasshemadeherwaytowardRutherfordHall.Sheshivered—theairwas
colderthanusual,asubtlereminderofhome—andshepulledherjacketcloser
toherbody.ShewalkedwithJasoninsilence;hestaredather,waitingforher
to say something, but still she was quiet, her eyes distant as she gazed at the dormitoryaheadofthem.
Theyenteredthebuildingtogetherandheadedstraightfortheelevators,
ignoringthenightowlswhowhisperedastheypassed.Asthemetalboxtook
themuptothetwelfthfloorandtheirprospectiverooms,Jason’spatience
waned,hisbodyantsyandhisnervesonedge.HeturnedtoEve,andstillshe
saidnothing,hereyespointedblanklyatthesilverdoorsinfrontofher.
“ThanksforwaitingformewhileIranlaps,”hefinallysaid.“AndwhileI
diddrills.AndthenwhileIranlapsagain.”
“You’rewelcome,”sheanswered,flatly.
“Youknow,youhaven’tspokentomesinceclass.”
Evefaltered.“Ijusthavealotonmymind.”
Theelevatordoorsopened.Eveheadeddownthehallway,andJason
followed.
“Likewhat?Likethefight?”hecontinued.“Look,Iknowitgotoutofhand,
butthatguywasadick.Thewholethingwas—”
“Reckless?Impulsive?”
JustasEvereachedherdorm,Jasongrabbedherhand,haltingherinfront
ofherdoor.Sheturned,finallylookinghimintheeye.Thebloodymessonhis
facehadlongsincebeenwashedaway,buthisbruisedcheekbonesandswollen,
scabby lip were enough to make the terrible fight flash before her eyes once again.
“I lost control. I can admit that. But I’m not going to apologize for caring about you. I’m not going to pretend that what he said and what he did to you didn’taffectme.”
“Hewas tryingtogetariseoutofyou,Jason.”
“Well,itworked,”hespat.Heleanedinclosertoher.“Everylastbruiseon
hisbodywasdeserved.YouandIbothknowhehaditcoming—”
“They allhaveitcoming,Jason,”Evesnapped.“DoyouknowhowmanyChin DimplesI’vemetinmylife?Howmanypeoplehavegivenmeblack
eyes?Howmanyguyshave threatened me?” She fidgeted anxiously with her cuticles.“Look,I’mnotsayinghedidn’tdeservewhathegot.Lordknowshe
did.”
“Thenwhat areyousaying?”
“ThatIgetit,okay?NoonegetsitmorethanIdo.Butwhenyou’re
defendingyourself—ordefending me—theydon’tseeaguyfightingforhonor or integrity. They see a chimera. A chimera who’s beating the shit out of a human.Doyouunderstand?That’salltheysee.”
Jasonlookeddownthehallway;girlsintheirpajamasscurriedtotheir
rooms,gigglingtooneanotherastheyobservedthetwosome.Heturnedback
toEveandloweredhisvoicetoawhisper.
“Idon’tcarewhattheysee.I’mnotgoingtositbackanddonothing.”
“I’mnotaskingyoutodonothing,”shesaid.“Ijustwanttomakesureyou
knowwhatyou’reupagainst,beingwhoyouare.”Shelookeddownatthe
floor.“Beingwithme.Ijustneedyoutobepreparedforwhatevercomesnext.”
Jasonstaredatherand,foramoment,detectedahintoffearinhereyes.
“I’mnotgoinganywhere,ifthat’swhatyou’regettingat.”
Eveexhaledloudly,stillpickingatherfingernails.“Look,whathappened
today—itwon’tbethelasttime.ButIfightwhenI needto,notwhenIwantto.
IfIfoughtwhenIwantedto…I’dneverstop.”
Jasonranhisfingersthroughherhairandlightlycuppedhercheek.Eve sighedandwrappedherfingersaroundhis,bringinghishandforwardand
examiningit.Hisknuckleswerescratchedandscabbed,andagainshesawthe
powerfuljabsreplayinhermind.
“Iwas horrifiedforyou,youknow.”Shegrimaced.“Allthatblood…”
“I’mfine,Eve.”
Shehesitated,hereyesstillfocusedonhisbloodyknuckles.“You’rereally
strong,Jason.”Shepaused.“I’veneverseenanyonefightlikethat.”
“Youweren’tkiddingaboutthatjetfuel.”
Sheranherfingersgentlyalonghispalm.“Howdiditfeel?”
“Itfelt…intense.”
“Howdoyoufeelnow?”
“Likehell,”hechuckled.
Shewasquietforamomentasshestaredathim—athisblack-and-bluesand
swollenscrapes.Withalookofworry,shesmoothedherhandacrosshisface, her fingers delicately grazing his skin until they fell to his neck. Finally, she leanedincloseandsoftlykissedhislips,lingeringonlyforamomentbefore
shepulledaway.
Hesmiled.“Whatwasthatfor?”
“Youknowwhatitwasfor.”Shesmirked.
Jasonmovedasingletendrilofhairfromherfaceandplaceditbehindher
ear. His eyes wandered from hers and then stopped, his body suddenly tense
withdiscomfort.Reluctantly,hebackedawayfromEveandgaveherhanda quick,comfortingsqueeze.
“Seeyoutomorrow,”hesaidwithawinkashemadehiswaydownthehall.
Evelookedtoherside:Heatherwasshamelesslywatchingherfromher
doorway.Shemighthaveappearedalmostangelicinherwhitesilknightgown,
ifnot,ofcourse,forherdevilishgrin.
Everolledhereyes.“Haven’tseenyouinawhile.”
“Oh,I’veseen you.Thinkofmeashavingeyesandearseverywhere.”
“Howlonghaveyoubeenstandingthere?”
“Longenough,”sheanswered.“Aren’tyoutwoprecious?Madisonwillbe
thrilledtofindoutaboutyourbuddingromance.Shesayshe’snumbertenon her list, but it’s just a front. He’s been number one ever since you started tutoringhim.”
“Yeah,well,that lististhedumbestthingshe’severcomeupwith.”
“Maybeso,butitdoesn’tmatterwhatyouorIthink,”Heatherrebutted,her
voiceunusuallycold.“AllthatmattersisthatMadisonPalmercares.Whenshe
findsout,she’llhateyouevenmorethanshealreadydoes,ifthat’spossible.
Andwhenthatgirl really hatesyou,shewon’trest.Shewillhuntyoudownlike ananimal.”
Eveletoutapatronizinglaugh.“Terrifying,I’msure.”
“She willfindout,Eve.I’llmakesureofthat.”
“Soundslikeathreat.”
“Oh,Iwouldn’tcallitthat,”shesimpered.“I’dsayit’sa promise.”
“Andthisisallpartofyourplan,forwhat?Forpower?”
TheRutherfordianbroughtherperfectlymanicuredindexfingertoherlips.
“Hush,Eve,that’sourlittlesecret.”
“God,you’rereallyscrewedup.”
“Youshouldn’tbesocomplacent.Youhavenoideawhat’sinstoreforyou.”
Eveyankedatherdoorknobandtrudgedintoherroom.“Ihateto
disappoint,butMadisondoesn’tscareme,andneitherdoyou.”
“Youknow,Eve,you shouldbescared,”Heatherinterrupted,stoppingEvein hertracks.“WhenMadisonPalmerholdsagrudge,shedoesn’tjust letitgo.
She’llneverforget—notuntilthere’sbloodonherhands.”
EveshotonelastglareinHeather’sdirectionbeforelockingthedoor
behindherandtossingherkeyontheendtable.Shelookedaround;thedorm
roomwasemptyasusual,andMadisonwasnowheretobefound.Eveprepared
forbedquickly,hopingtobefastasleepbeforeherroommatereturned,ifshe
everdid.Heather’swordslingeredinthebackofhermind,andshechuckled
to
herself— blood on her hands. She thought back to only a month ago, when Madisonconsideredherafriend,whensheinsistedoneatingdinnertogether,
andgaveheranEverlastingDiamond.Evegrabbedhershoulderbaganddug
through the front pocket; there it was, still sparkling and beautiful, and for a momentshewonderedifsheshouldreturnittoherroommate.Butjustasshe
debated the idea, the diamond slipped from her fingers and rolled across the floor,disappearingunderneathMadison’sbed.
Evegrowledtoherself,stumblingthroughthemazeofsuitcases,daringto
trespassintoMadison’sterritory.Shecrawledontoherknees,fanningher
handsbeneaththeheiress’sbeduntilshefinallyfoundthegem.Asshe
examined it, holding it up toward the light, she suddenly stopped—her hands werefilthy,coveredindustorpowderorsomethingelse.Somethingblack.
Shelookeddownatthefloorandsawafilmcoveringthepanelsofwood.A
chillrandownherspine,sendinggoosebumpsacrossherskin.Shegottoher
feet,hereyespanningfromthedirtygroundtoMadison’sbed;thepinksheets
werecoveredinthesamethicklayerofblack.Eve’sfingerscurledinto
shakingfists,hergazestillfocusedonthesightbelow—thestreaksofashthat
weresmearedacrossMadisonPalmer’ssheets.
***
ClarenceHallappearedlifeless,completelyandutterlyaverage.Thewalls
werebeige,drab,andbare,thewoodenfloorwasscratchedanddullfrom
abuseandneglect,andEvecouldn’thelpbutnoticethemonotonyofthebrown
doorsliningthecorridor.Itwasatypicalcollegedormitory,asmundaneand
standardasanyother,andabsolutelyincomparabletotheextravagant
RutherfordHall.
Evesighed;nowonderJJresentedher.
Theotherstudents—perhapstheywerecalledClarencians,thoughitwas
doubtfultheywouldbroadcastsuchalabel—staredatherasshepassedby,and shewonderedifitwasbecauseofherreputationorherunexpectedappearance
inthebuilding.Shekepthereyesforward,searchingforroom3013,though
the bland uniformity of the hallways made her feel as if she were walking in circlesthroughanever-endingmaze.Finally,shefounditandtappedlightlyat
thedoor,hesitanttocreateasoundanddrawanymoreattentiontoherselfthan
shealreadyhad.
Thedoorswungopen,andEvewasmetwithacrazedsmile.
“Whattookyousolong?”Armaanasked,pullingherintohisroomand
slammingthedoorbehindher.<
br />
AsArmaandashedtothecorneroftheroom,Evetookamomenttoobserve
her surroundings. The dorm was small, barely half the size of Eve’s, though still built for two. One of the twin beds was covered with test tubes, petri dishes,andevenaBunsenburner,andsheknewrightawaythatthatbed
belongedtoArmaan.
“So,whydidyouaskmetostopby?”sheasked,carefullyweavingthrough
thecrampedspace.“Yousaidyouwantedtoshowmesomethingimportant?
DidyouwantmetocallJasonandtherestofthem?”
“Notime,”Armaanquicklyanswered,hisbackfacingherashefiddledwith
hisequipment.“Myroommateissupposedly‘atthelibrary,’whichishiscode
fordoingthedeedwithhisgirlfriend.Weonlyhavefifteenminutes.”
“Howdoyouknowthat?”
Herolledhiseyes.“Theguydoesn’tevenknowwherethelibraryis.And knowinghistrackrecord,itusuallytakeshimaboutfifteenminutestogetthe
jobdone,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
“Wow,”Evemuttered.“Idon’tknowifIshouldquestionhisstaminaorwhy
youknowso muchabouthisstamina.”
Armaanturnedtofaceher;heworeasillygrinandheldhisarmsoutinfront
ofhim,hissleevesrolleduppasthiselbows.Inoneofhishandswasa
dishfilledwithcream-coloredgoo—aplatterofsecondskin.
“Watchthis.”
BeforeEvecouldprotest,heflippedthedishoverhisoppositehand,
dumpingtheslimyliquidontohispalmandlettingitslidedownhisarm.
“Armaan!Whatareyou doing?”shegasped.
He ignored her, coating his entire arm in the fluid until it was completely covered.Hefinallylookedupather,hiseyeswidewithexcitement.
“Justpayattention.”
Afteramomentofstillness,thesecondskinbegantoexpandandbubbleasif
itwerebreathing.Suddenly,acrackingnoisepunctuatedthesilence;itwasloud
andharsh,andArmaancringed,hiskneesbucklingunderhisbody.
“Armaan,youneedtostop—”
“It’salmostdone,”hequicklyrebutted.
Thenoiseturnedintoaloudchorusofsnapsandpops.Armaan’sarm
continued to breathe and pulse, the liquid fizzing as it blended into his skin,
morphingfromcreamtobrowntoafamiliarcolor—alightshadeofolive.
