After brushing themselves off as much as possible, Mom rented a room, and Jeb rented the one next door. We waited till the coast was totally clear, and then the flock and Total sneaked in. Maybe we’d be safe here for a little while.

That night, my mom and I stayed up talking after everyone else had gone to bed. I curled up on the couch next to her and tried not to imagine what my life would have been like if I could have been talking to her like this all the time.

“Who could have done that?” she asked, still looking upset and troubled.

I shrugged. “It could be anyone. Any of the bad guys, any of the good guys who are really bad guys, anyone working for any of them. Maybe the government gang didn’t want to take no for an answer.”

She shook her head. “I still feel that no matter how overbearing they are, how much they don’t understand the situation, they’re on the level. I don’t think they were behind this.”

“Do you trust Jeb?” I asked her.

“I do,” she said slowly. “But I also think you should always be on guard. With everyone, all the time.”

I nodded. “I’m not sure what we’ll do, after this.”

“The government school still not holding any appeal for you?” She smiled.

“No.”

“You’re always welcome at home,” she said, and took my hand.

I shook my head. “I wouldn’t do that to you — at least not too often. Anyone who helps us winds up getting hurt. Like tonight, for example.”

“Still. Never forget you have a refuge.”

“Okay,” I said with a smile. “I wish we could hang out like this more often.”

“Me too. There’s so much I want to talk to you about, so much I don’t know.” She hesitated. “Is there something going on between you and Fang?”

My eyes went wide, and I felt heat flush my cheeks. “No. What do you mean?” I said unconvincingly.

My mom stroked my hair and tried not to look worried. “Just be careful,” she said, and kissed my forehead. “There are other kinds of pain besides physical.”

Oh, like I didn’t know that.

Chapter 13

13

“YO, MAX.”

Fang. Fang’s voice. I blinked and sat up fast, grabbing the sheets. “Wha’?” I panted. “What’s, what’s —”

“Let’s take a little spin.” Fang motioned outside. I looked around. The girls were sleeping in this room, boys in the other. Outside, the night was deep but bright with moonlight.

“Why?” I whispered.

He smiled unexpectedly, and my heart gave a little squeeze. “Because we can.”