He bumped her shoulder with his. “Well, thanks, but you have to say that. We’ve been friends since we were three.”
I tried not to groan. “Whatever, you two. I’ll see you later.”
22
Friday. Tonight I was going on a date with Asher.
The thought made the zit on my chin feel the size of Mt. Olympus. I spent hours that morning staring at the clothes hanging in my closet and finally settled on the one pair of jeans that fit my curves without looking baggy and a pink ballet-neck shirt. I found a pair of gold flats, then studied myself in the mirror. The pink brought out the gold tones in my dark hair and gave some color to my cheeks. Not bad. And at least it wasn’t raining. Dealing with Hermione hair today would have killed me.
We were leaving right after school. Asher wanted to drive into Knoxville and go to a quiet restaurant he’d found downtown. I didn’t know how I was going to get through the rest of the day.
I paced my bedroom, tugged at my shirt, stared out the window, messed with my hair. “Stop that, Lexie,” I ordered, shaking a finger at myself in the mirror. “It’s just dinner. With a guy you go to school with. You can handle this.”
My email dinged, and grateful to have something to do while waiting for Dad to finish getting ready for work, I plopped down in front of the computer.
And almost fell out of my chair.
It was from Major Grant.
Lexie,
I sincerely apologize for how things went when we met in person. The situation got out of control. My intent was not to scare you but to convince you that Branston is your home. Obviously, drugging you was not the right tactic. However, we are fast approaching the apex of our plans, and I have run out of time to be subtle. You belong to us, and we will do what we must to make sure you return to Branston. Including using those you love.
Major Timothy Grant
A whimper escaped my lips, and I whipped out my phone, hands trembling. I hadn’t heard from my mom in days. What if they had her? Three rings later, her cell phone went straight to voicemail. I left a frantic message and then darted into the hallway.
Dad was pouring himself a cup of coffee, but he set down the pot the instant he saw me. “Lexie? What’s going on?”
“Dad. Major Grant emailed me. He said you were in danger.” My voice trembled.
“Everything’s fine. I told you QT security will make sure nothing happens.” He led me toward his laptop. “Let me read his email.”
I pulled it up and watched as his face grew grim.
“But what about when we’re not at QT? What if he finds us here? What if he finds Mom?”
“Relax, Lexie. We are all fine. After Grant’s last attempt, QT upped their security protocols. And your mother is fine. Branston likes to threaten, but they never take action.”
“Could have fooled me. What about Grant trying to kidnap me?”
“They thought they could get to you before we were aware. They won’t have a chance like that again. Now, go get your things. I’ll alert QT security to be extra-vigilant when we get there.” He patted my shoulder reassuringly. “We’ve got you covered, Lex. Everything’s going to be fine.”
I flashed him a disbelieving look but went to get my tablet and bag. I didn’t have any choice but to trust him.
Grant’s email squashed the excitement I’d felt at going out with Asher. But I didn’t want to tell him about it. He’d go all protective and say leaving Oak Ridge wasn’t safe. And there was no way I was letting Branston break this date. I headed toward the library, expecting to see him and the others, but when I logged into a computer, I spotted an email from him.
Working at Amy’s house this morning. She wasn’t feeling well, and we needed to get these calculations finished. But I will still pick you up at four. Can’t wait to see you.
Asher
I sighed and pulled up my own ultraviolet catastrophe calculations. I still needed to figure out how they fit into Avery’s experiment.
Except instead of doing my homework, I spent most of my time staring at Major Grant’s email.
Whatever it meant, whoever he thought he was going to target, the guy was batshit crazy. I gritted my teeth and buried my head in my hands.
A huge boom made the library walls vibrate. The floor swayed, and the lights went out with a surge and a pop as the bulbs burst. Books tumbled off the shelves. The computers went black. A sharp, acrid smell filled the air, making me cough and choke.
Then the alarms started.
“Everyone to the emergency exit please.” Joan waved her arms. Lights shot from her palms like flashlights, illuminating the room and showing us the way out. Smoke swirled in the beams like ghosts, and I pressed my shirt to my mouth so I could breathe.
“What’s going on?” someone asked.
The other scientists chimed in until their voices blended with the sirens. “Where was the explosion? Is anyone hurt?”
Joan shook her head. “My sensors say the explosion occurred in Division Seven. But this is not the time for questions. Move!” She hurried us out of the library and down the corridor. I shuffled into the crowd, my heart kicking in my chest.
Dad was working in Division Seven today.
Scientists poured from their labs into the hall as the alarms screamed overhead, and we moved in a river of white coats toward the exits. The world narrowed until there were only jostling bodies and terrified voices and the smell of fear mixed with ash.
And I could only think one thing: Branston.
When we finally spilled out into the cool, fall air, I sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm the panic making my legs refuse to move. I searched the crowds for Dad or Dr. Rosen or anyone I knew at all, but it was a sea of strangers. My hands went clammy as panic took over. The logical part of me knew there were several exits from the building and they could be somewhere else, but the other part of me wanted to scream and cry and beg for news of my dad.
“Lexie!” Asher’s voice cut through the black panic as he shoved through the crowds toward me. “Are you alright? What’s going on?”
I stared back at the smoking building, and my whole body started to shake. “There was an explosion. My dad’s down there.” My voice broke, and he pulled me into his arms. I buried my head in his chest.
Dad was okay. He had to be.
Scientists still streamed from the building, and I felt Asher quiver. “Dad!” he called. “Over here!”
I pulled away as he hurried toward us. Soot streaked Dr. Rosen’s face and hair, and his dark eyes were rimmed with red. “Asher, what are you doing here? I thought you were at home.” He spotted me and froze. “Lexie.” A gust of wind lifted his hair, and I caught the scent of acrid smoke and chemicals.