the perimeter. Every twenty feet, as ordered.”
“Can we go home?” I kept my voice low, but we were in a small room and everyone heard me. “I wanna go home.”
I wanted to take my Bond and just lock us in a room. What I’d do with all four of them in there, I wasn’t entirely sure, but my Light instincts had never done me wrong before. I just wanted them close.
I turned to face Tyler, my eyes pleading.
His expression softened. “Soon, baby.”
Stacey gave him an odd look, a slight furrowing of the brows that she quickly wiped off her face. I only saw it because she was standing right next to him, because I was hyperaware of her elbow brushing against his arm as she tapped the tablet in her hands. As usual, she looked sophisticated in a pencil skirt and sweater, though her usually sleek bun had a few bits of hair sticking out of it. That seemed to be the only sign she was stressed.
I moved toward Ty again, but Alec pulled me back, holding me against his chest. I covered his hands at my hips with my own and let him ground me. I needed to be touching at least one of them, and there was a distinct possibility I’d growl at Stacey like one of Dot’s bears once I got my hands on Ty.
“We knew there was a risk of some kind of violent or disruptive event,” Stacey said to the room, “but considering the circumstances, I think we need to discuss Miss Blackburn—”
“Maynard,” Alec and I cut her off at the same time, but I explained, “It’s Evelyn Maynard. Can we get that changed, please?” Everyone knew my secrets now anyway. My so-called father had laid me bare for the world to see. Weren’t parents supposed to protect their children? Shield them? What a joke.
“Yes, very well.” A bit of frustration cut into her perfect demeanor. Stacey didn’t appreciate being interrupted. “As I was saying, I think we need to consider having Miss Maynard take a break from classes.”
I looked at her sharply and frowned. “You’re kicking me out? But I have a scholarship . . .” Of course this had nothing to do with my academic performance. It just seemed as if it needed to be said: I had a right to be there. I’d worked hard and earned my spot.
“Oh, no, sweetheart.” Stacey reached a hand out to me, her expression sympathetic if a little fake. “No one is kicking you out. Your scholarship is secure. What I’m talking about is taking a break. Just until things calm down.”
“Until things calm down.” I crossed my arms and looked at my feet.
“The safety of the staff and students has to be our primary concern, Eve,” Tyler explained, his expression resigned, sad. “After the way you were attacked tonight, I simply don’t believe Bradford Hills Institute is a safe place for you anymore. And as much as it frustrates me to say it, removing you from the situation would make the other students safer too.”
“Right.” I’d crossed my arms in defiance, but now I was hugging myself more than anything. They were right—I was dangerous. I could drain any Variant to death if they pissed me off enough, and the fact that Davis had basically put a bounty on my head meant that anywhere I went, I was at risk of starting a riot.
An indignant part of me wanted to argue. This may never get resolved. It wasn’t fair. How was it my fault that idiots were getting dragged into Davis’s bullshit? Why should I suffer because Melior Group couldn’t do their damn jobs? All I ever wanted was to study science and find a place to settle down.
But another, bigger, more sinister part of me understood how naive my indignation was.
“Maybe I should just leave. Permanently.” It would be less of a headache for Tyler, Stacey, and the Bradford Hills Institute board if I just quietly went away. There would be less drama, and they wouldn’t be forced to take sides in a war that no one would ultimately win.
If I was being honest with myself, none of this would be happening if it wasn’t for me. Davis wouldn’t be trying to make his own Frankenstein monsters if my mother’s Light hadn’t shown him it was possible. He wouldn’t have started two extremist organizations in his pursuit for answers. He wouldn’t have kidnapped all those Vitals. Rick would still be alive. Beth would still