Page 14 (1/2)

The two boys size each other up, their fists clenched, a hostile look in their eyes Ash towers over Sebastian, but if push caive hiht

"Leave his," I adht; I can see it written all over his face

"I want to go," I say, lightly touching Sebastian’s arlares at Ash for another second, then nods

"I knew co here was a bad idea," Sebastianman," Martha whispers to ering moment before he heads off in the opposite direction

"Yeah He is," I reply

13

NATALIE

I CATCH UP WITH DAY at school on Monday and tell her all about the fight in the market

"I can’t believe Ash helped you It seeym hall for Tracker trials

"I know It surprised hs "Let’s not get carried away One random act of kindness doesn’t make him a saint"

"I never said he was a saint I just meant maybe he’s not a complete jerk? Besides, it wasn’t one act of kindness He does charity work too, as you know--"

Day whips around on me "Oh, my heavens You like hiht red?" she says

"I’m hot, that’s all"

"Need I re?"

"I don’t like hiot his best friend hooked on drugs," she continues

"Day! For the last time, I don’t like Ash Fisher Okay? I would never, ever allowafter one of them murdered my father"

"Mmm," she says, unconvinced

I’m not surprised she doesn’t believe ym hall in silence There’s no way I can tell her about the other thoughts I’d been having about Ash all night, such as the funny way my heart reacts whenever I’ed Martha’s hand, that lingering look between us as we left theflutters in my stomach, and I realize it’s nerves A Ash? No! Day’s right--nothing’s changed I can’t fall for someone like him

"I’m really sorry about Truffles Do they have any leads yet?" Day says

I tell her about Sebastian’s theory that Humans for Unity were involved

"Would Humans for Unity do that?" I ask

"Some of the members are pretty extreme, and they’ve always preferred violence over diplos Beetle and I always argued about; I just couldn’t support his decision to be acause is dangerous They’re going to get Beetle killed one day"

"Should we ask Beetle if he knows anything about it?" I say

"He’s hardly going to aduess," I mumble as we enter the hall

The noise is unbelievable as students chat excitedly about their chances of having the V-gene Sebastian is already at the front of the hall setting up the equip a lot of attention fro flirtatiously at theh Whatever

My heart yanks, and I search for Ash in the crowd, knowing that he ainst the wall, Beetle beside hi black hair, and for a second, I wonder what it would feel like to have his fingers running throughthis effect on ht now, they’d lock me up and throay the key

I take Day’s hand and casually join the line close to where Ash and Beetle are standing Ash catches , I pretend to check the tiold in the overhead lights

"You’re looking surprisingly ‘hot’ again," Day whispers toto do with a certain twin-blood boy?"

"Sshhh!" I say, glancing at Ash

He looks at htly Oh, Lord, did he hear that? Don’t be paranoid, Natalie Darkling hearing isn’t that good

Beetle e closer to the about and secretly hoping to hear my na?" Beetle says

A pained look crosses Ash’s face "Worse It could be any day now"

"I’ up?"

"He’s a mess He won’t leave her side I don’t kno he does it; I can’t stand looking at her"

I wonder who they’re talking about

Sebastian claps his hands, getting everyone’s attention The rooiven you all a very special opportunity today, a chance to join the Trackers and hty hu around the room "There are fifty squads like mine across the United Sentry States, from Mountain Wolf all the way to the Eene and have what it takes to joinsquad in the whole Black River State!" Kurt roars

The line starts to move forward The first victiirl with cropped brown hair Kurt rolls up her sleeves and places her arm inside the machine

"Don’t worry, you’ll only feel a little prick," Sebastian says

"I bet he’s said that to a lot of girls," Day irl winces as her sample is taken

Kurt shakes his head "Next"