He’s looking at me like the two of us are the only people in the world in that way that used to make me feel so special and so confused. He does this sexy half-bite, half-lick thing with his lip that definitely has me starting to feel amorous. Classic Kor, trying to play mind games with me. Or maybe this time he actually thinks he wants this to go somewhere. The way his eyes are fixated on my mouth sure makes it seem like he does. Suddenly my heart is pounding, and Kor’s hand is moving higher on my thigh as he leans in.

I’d wanted this for so long.

But I don’t want it anymore.

I push his hand off my leg and shift away from him.

His face falls. “Ada, don’t shut me out. You’re my best friend.”

“You were mine.”

He flinches.

“Sorry, I… That’s not what I meant.”

“It’s fine. I get it.” He stands up. “I have to go and prepare for tomorrow anyway.” His eyes, so intent on me a moment ago, could not be more distant.

“What’s tomorrow?” I ask as he zips the guitar into its case.

“We’re moving forward with the next phase of Operation Genesis.”

“What?” All my muscles tense. I knew that my recent interviews were in preparation for sending a small team to Arcadia. But not yet. Not before I had time to make sure the plan changed. “I thought you said that was scheduled for the fall?” This is bad. Really bad. I rise cautiously.

“Prometheus was pleased with the return of the girl and reciprocated with information that means we no longer have to wait,” Kor explains.

“But this all so fast, and the military is on alert—”

“This may seem fast to you, but I’ve been working with Prometheus for two years. The Oculus has been waiting for a chance like this for generations. We’re hoping to avoid a confrontation, but we’re prepared to deal with the military if we must.”

“You mean, like, fight them?” I can’t keep the horror from my voice.

“Ada, your handful of school friends and whatever pretty face you have a crush on today are not representative of these people. Not all of them are so innocent. Do you understand what’s at stake for our world here? We need access to the scrolls you told us about, and we need to get the Ha’i stone, or at least instructions for how to make one.”