“He’s ordered it, and I owe him a favor. He’ll determine what’s to be done with you.”

I balked. “I don’t understand. What does he want with a student? How does he know my name?”

“I don’t know.”

“Hosea Khan, you’re lying!” I accused. The lie was written all over his face. “Tell me what he wants,” I demanded.

“Let it go, Cobane. It makes no difference. He wants you.

You can come with me peacefully, so that others won’t be hurt. Or, you can fight.”

I gritted my teeth. He was offering me exactly what I wanted, access to Director Kumar. And, with his grip tightening on my wrist, I needn’t even feel guilty. He was begging me to spy! I could get Jones’ information and return in time for the Final Exam. I could leave for Hasting and maybe, as a Senator, I could find a way to fix the Kongo. It was perfect, but the urge to flee overwhelmed me. I didn’t want to work for Jones. And I didn’t want to betray him, or anyone, ever again. I jumped from the chair.

I made it halfway to the door.

He caught me by the arm. “I was hoping you wouldn’t do that, Cobane.” He pulled me back and tied my wrists with a strip of bambi.

Suddenly, I remembered Jetson. He would no doubt try to rescue me. I had to apologize to Hosea, tell him that no one had to be hurt. I opened my mouth, just as Hosea stuffed a balled bandage between my teeth. Obi—no!

He pushed the cloth back, close to my throat. “Don’t try to talk, or dislodge it. You’ll only hurt yourself.” He tied a strip of cloth over my mouth to hold the gag in place. He bent to lift me over his shoulder. The closet door slammed open.

No! The full force of Jetson’s body slammed us to the floor.

Jetson bounded to his feet. He grabbed my arm, pushed me onto the bed, and moved to face Hosea. Jetson’s entire body was tensed for battle. “You’ll never take her from here.”

No! He would be hurt, and it was my fault. I kicked, trying to get his attention.

If Hosea was surprised by Jetson’s ambush, he didn’t show it. He stood straight, his hands spread at his sides. “I want no quarrel with you, Jetson.”

“Then don’t try to take Arika from Cobane.”

Hosea nodded to my packed bag. “As you can see, she was on her way out.”

“Not with you, she wasn’t.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Arika would never risk expulsion. If she was leaving, you were making her.”

Hosea moved, suddenly, faster than my eyes could register. When he was still again, his weapon was in his palm.

No! I kicked, but they ignored me.