Chapter 22

Bandit casually wraps his arm around my back, if there can be anything casual about his bare skin touching mine, and guides me back into the ballroom.

We walk to the corner farthest from the dessert bar as my mind whirls. What do I say to Bandit’s uncle? So, Charlie, tell me about this fringe research of yours. Does it have the potential to wipe out two-thirds of the world in, oh, about ten years’ time?

Ugh. That’s about as smooth as the Drake Passage, which—spoiler alert—is where the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern seas meet, resulting in the choppiest waters on earth.

Before I can come up with a better approach, I see Charlie, huddled with two students. Except…those aren’t just any two students. The older man’s bushy brown mane is bent toward Zeke’s closely shaven head and Archie’s wild mop.

My heart stops. I was willing to put myself in danger by talking to Charlie. But not Zeke. Not Archie. They shouldn’t be anywhere near that man. Even if the Voice didn’t mention their names, my gut tells me I need to keep Charlie away from my family, my friends. From everyone I care about.

Why, oh why did I have to faint? Damn the Voice for asking me to do two missions at once!

I take a shaky breath. This is okay. They’re just talking. Disaster hasn’t struck yet. No harm in a few exchanged pleasantries.

Charlie looks up as we approach, cutting himself off mid-sentence. “Ah. Chubbs. I was wondering where you’d gone off to.”

Bandit wipes a hand down his face. Chubbs, huh? Interesting. Now where did that nickname come from?

“Zeke here was telling me about his research,” Charlie continues, beaming at Zeke. “Fascinating stuff. Do you know each other?” He waves his hand among us.

“We go to school together,” Bandit says smoothly, giving a nod to both Zeke and my brother. “Congratulations on the Young Scientist Award,” he says to Zeke, then turns to me. An awkward pause descends, as though he’s not sure who should introduce me to his uncle. Him, because he brought me over to the group? Or my brother, because we have the closer relationship?

Ha. Little does he know that Archie’s about as likely to perform such niceties as Chris Hemsworth is to show up at this banquet. Shirtless. Proposing marriage to me on bended knee.

Not that I’ve ever entertained that particular fantasy.

“This is Alice,” Zeke jumps in. “Archie’s sister. We came to the banquet. Together,” he emphasizes ever so slightly.

Bandit arches an eyebrow. “She just gave me a purple cupcake.” A note of challenge creeps into his tone.

“We all got cupcakes,” Zeke says, deep grooves in his forehead. “They’re from Cristela, not her.”