I peeked through my hands. “I really don’t know. I didn’t think it possible to feel all of this at once. I’m torn up about my mom, but relieved that she doesn’t hate me. I’m mad at Olivia, and it isn’t even her fault. I’m pissed off, and I’m scared that whoever was behind the accidentthe crash, they mayoh, God, they could still want Olivia.”

Hayden shifted onto his side and pulled my hands back to his chest. “I’m not going to let anything happen. You don’t have to worry about that.”

I looked at him. Every cell in his body seemed perfectly controlled, and yet, there appeared a shadow of uncertainty in his eyes. “No more secrets. Promise me.”

“No more secrets.”

Silence surrounded us, and in the darkness, a determination sparked alive. “I want to find out who killed my dad.” Fire burned in my stomach.

“I know.”

“And Kurt is the likeliest bet. You know that.”

“I don’t know what to believe. I’ve known him for years, Ember. And if it was him, then why? Why would he want Olivia?” Hayden asked. “He’s been my father’s partner a long time. He knows how hard it is for the gifted. It just wouldn’t make sense.”

“I don’t know, but what about the stuff in my locker? It has to be… one of them.”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he eased himself down on his back, keeping a safe distance between us. Even after everything I’d learned tonight, my heart still pumped way too fast.

“We should head back soon,” I said.

“We should.”

But we didn’t.

We talkedwell, arguedabout Kurt and his father. “We’re never going to agree on this.”

Hayden snorted. “And I still think we need to go to my father. This couldwhat’s this?” He sat up, grabbing something small off the bed.

I had to lean forward to see what he held. Something small and round rested in his palm. Instinctively, I knew it was the coin. “Oh. It must have fallen out of my pocket.”

He peered up through his lashes. “I can’t make out what’s on it.”

“Nothing’s really on it,” I said, wishing I could take it out of his palm. “Can I have it back?” I held out my hand.

“Sure, but why do you have a coin in your pocket? I can tell it’s not a normal one.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s kind of like a good luck charm.”

Hayden dropped it back in my hand. I could hear the smile in his voice. “Then you don’t want to lose it.”

“No.” I put it back in my pocket and hoped it stayed there.