On Friday, the day after Aden’s funeral, I arrived at school to find Malachi sitting on the half wall at the front entrance. As soon as I pulled into a spot, he was up and walking toward me. I groaned and leaned my head back against the seat. He knocked on the window.

“Good morning,” he said briskly when I opened the door. “I take it your patrol was quiet.”

I nodded, savoring the bitterness. “Jim and I caught a scent outside the Broad Street shelter, but we couldn’t trace it. I feel like we’re so close, but we’re missing something. Maybe tonight we’ll catch a break.”

“All our friends here are accounted for. Greg has decided he would like to be my new best friend and wants to ‘party.’ Other than that, no unusual activity last night.”

“Good. And tonight you’re off.”

“No, Captain.” He leaned down. “Lela, I think you’re punishing yourself with this schedule.”

“Punishing myself? Look who’s talking,” I snapped. “I hear you’re up at all hours, training when you should be resting.”

Malachi’s expression hardened. “What I do with my time off is none of your concern. I’m following your orders. I’m doing my job.”

Again, it would have been less painful if he’d punched me. “I never said you weren’t,” I muttered hoarsely.

He stepped around the door and squatted in front of me. “Take tonight off. Rest. I’ll take your place. We need our Captain to have a clear head. You’ve earned Jim’s trust, and you’re just starting to regain Henry’s after what happened on Monday—do not let them down.”

His eyes showed his concern … and nothing else. This was how he would have talked to Ana or Takeshi, his Captain from long ago. I should have been happy that his feelings for me weren’t interfering, but it hurt like hell.

“All right. I’ll take it under advisement. But the shelters close tonight—”

He shook his head. “We checked this morning. Because of the outcry over the attacks, the city announced that the shelters will remain open through the weekend while they try to solve the crime.”

I sighed. “Fine. I’ll take tonight off.”

“Excellent decision, Captain. I will see you in Pre-Calculus.” Malachi stood up, shouldered his backpack, and walked away, looking unfairly amazing in the morning sunlight. Laney came skipping up to him, wearing a skirt so short it had to be in violation of the dress code. Together, they walked into the school. I jammed my keys in the ignition, ready to attempt escape.