“And you swear, you swear to me, you know nothing about why he’s here?”

I shook my head. “I told you before—no.”

He rubbed his chin. “Do you think it has anything to do with the Assembly?”

“What about the Assembly?”

“Don’t play the nut,” Covington said. She crossed her arms. The twins flanked her sides. “We know Saxon spouts off about politics, and we know you’re angling for the open Senate seat.”

I lifted my chin, covering my distress. Obi, I’d hoped to keep my secret for a few more days. Now that Covington knew about the open seat, she’d want it. “How did you find out about the ousted Senator?” I said. I glanced at Jetson—he was always following me. Had he somehow overheard?

“Jetson didn’t tell us, if that’s what you’re thinking,” East Keep said. “We found out because—”

Covington broke in, her eyes hooded. “We have our ways, just like you. Only we know there’s more at stake than our own hides, and we’re trying to do something about it.”

Jetson broke in. “The point is, do you think the new kid’s presence has something to do with the open seat?”

I shrugged. “I don’t see how they’re related.”

“Well, it’s certainly not a coincidence,” Jetson said. “For the second time this month, The Assembly comes to a tie regarding the New Seed Bill. And now, a new student appears just in time to take the Final Exam and join the Assembly?”

I groaned, feeling dizzy. His words made little sense to me. If I asked, he would explain, opening a chasm of secrets. Part of me wanted to run to the library. Another part was desperate to learn more. If this New Seed had something to do with my Senate seat, I needed to know. “What—what’s the New Seed?” I said.

Covington looked surprised. She glanced at Jetson.

“I thought you knew,” he said. “When I mentioned Voltaire during the arrest earlier today, you didn’t seem surprised.”

I shook my head. “I’ve heard of Voltaire. I don’t know much, but I’ve seen the name and I read about the uprising in Hannibal,” I admitted. “But what does that have to do with the Seed you keep mentioning?”

“The New Seed,” he corrected, “and, if you really don’t know, it started early last year. A genetic engineering firm, a private company in the Northridge, published a paper. I’m not clear on all the science but, basically, they genetically altered a soybean plant so that it grew with much less effort. After publishing, they got funding to alter all sorts of plants. They’re stockpiling the modified seeds for use in the Kongo.”

I frowned. “You say these New Seeds grow with less effort? What do you mean?”