“The Similars. And…” I hesitate, not sure if I should tell him the rest. But I just promised him no more secrets, didn’t I? “And Harlowe,” I whisper. “Or, she suspects, anyway. I don’t know if she’s put it all together, but knowing her, she will. It happened by accident. I never would have wanted her to find out.”

“We should tell my mom,” Ollie says. “If this could put you in danger…”

“It won’t,” I insist, even though I’m not convinced of that, not at all.

“You might need heightened security. My mom could arrange that—”

“Aren’t we getting ahead of ourselves? I’ve barely figured out how this skill of mine works. What it all means…”

Ollie combs his hands through the hair at his temples, looking frayed. “I’m worried, Emma. Things are happening so quickly.”

“It will all be okay. As long as we’re okay. Right?”

But Ollie doesn’t answer me. He’s jumped up from the bed and is stuffing his feet in his sneakers.

“I almost forgot. There’s something I have to take care of. I’ll see you at dinner. Okay?”

“But Ollie, wait.” I feel flustered, and anxiety creeps up in my chest. He’s running off again, so abruptly? “We are okay, aren’t we? I mean, I know you’re probably hurt and maybe even mad at me, and rightly so, but we should—” I don’t even get to say “talk.” He’s already out the door.

It only takes me a moment to decide I’m not letting him leave here again so quickly. Not when there’s been so much left unsaid between us. I slip on my boots and race out of my room. Ollie’s at the end of the hall, hurrying toward the exit. I follow him.

“Ollie!” I shout, racing in his direction. “That’s the second time in a row you’ve left my room like you had somewhere a lot better to be! Stop! We need to talk. You’re the one who said it, before break. And maybe you’ve changed your mind, but you were right. I’m not letting you brush me off. Not again!”

But Ollie’s not turning around. He’s quickening his pace, and I chase after him, my mind churning. Why isn’t he stopping? Why is he running away from me?

I’ve followed him all the way to Nightshade now. Ollie stops in front of the double doors, taking his key from around his neck and scanning it in front of the door. It buzzes, opening for him. But another kid in his dorm—a kid I recognize but don’t personally know—stops him.

“Ollie! I was looking for you,” the kid says brightly. “I had this calculus question—”