I don’t know why. Because he hates the Swarm—or so he claimed? Because he wanted out? Because he didn’t try to make excuses or defend himself for the horrible things he’d done? Because he saw a side of my dad that I thought I’d lost? My dad must have trusted him if he was willing to harbor him in our home at night. As the distance between us closes, I can’t decide whether I’m ready to trust him too.

Ryan’s eyes are relaxed, inviting even. His mouth lifts into a tentative smile, transforming him from someone menacing into someone I’m almost glad to see. I consider telling him about the video. It’s not like I’m going to confide in Dr. What’s-His-Name.

Behind me, tires squeal.

Ryan’s eyes dart past me, his face tightening at a car speeding down the one-way street. He breaks into a sprint, and I know without needing to look the car is for me. I need to move, run, escape, but my legs don’t work. My feet are anchors, stuck to the cement.

Ryan chucks his backpack and closes the space between us faster than seems humanly possible.

Music blares as the car speeds up, getting closer.

How stupid to make its approach so obvious.

And then at thirty yards away, Ryan halts. He ducks into a side alley that’s crammed between brick apartment buildings as the car skids to a stop beside me.

The music thumps in my chest. I turn as the door of a black Lexus springs open and Cullen looks up at me from behind the wheel. “Get in.”

I’m so taken aback, I can’t respond. A second ago I was sure someone was coming to abduct me.

I glance at the alley Ryan turned down. No sight of him—only his discarded backpack lying upside down in someone’s side yard.

“Lia,” Cullen shouts like I’m unable to process what’s happening. “I’m giving you a ride to school. Get in.” He smiles and his whole face lights up, reeking of confidence and making me wonder if he’s rehearsed this look hundreds of times before.

“I’m fine.” I walk away, careful to hide my limp. Putting weight on my foot kills, but I don’t want to look weak in front of Cullen.

He turns down the music. His car rolls alongside me at my snail’s pace.

“C’mon, get in.” He sounds annoyed to ask more than once.

“I said I’m fine.” I’d love to be the first girl to turn him down. “Katie’s picking me up,” I lie. She has a.m. Art Club, but he doesn’t know that.

Cullen snorts. “You’d be safer driving with me.”

I narrow my eyes. “Who are you insulting exactly? Asians? Girls? Or both? I can’t tell.”

Cullen looks amused.