The security guard’s final threat replays in my mind, and I can’t help wondering what plans he has for me. What plans he’s had for me all along. I know now that he’s the reason I ended up at Lengard—but why?

You will do what you must to protect her from herself and others, but you will also give your evaluators free rein with their experiments.

My lungs seize as I recall his words to Falon.

Evaluators … Like Vanik.

I’d bet everything I own that he has something to do with this. That he’s working with the security guard—or the security guard is working with him. I don’t know what their connection is, but somehow, some way, they’re involved. This new man, this new threat, must agree with Vanik’s mission to create a Speaker army and want to bring about a new evolution of humankind.

… with your help, vengeance shall be mine.

But vengeance for what? How do Vanik’s plans fit into this man’s?

Dr. Manning, I understood. He wanted revenge for what was done to him and the early generation of Speakers. He wanted the world to feel as helpless as he did, to feel as powerless as he felt.

But the security guard?

I have no idea.

I.

Have.

No.

Idea.

“Dammit, Alyssa!”

A sharp slap across my face has me jerking backward and blinking away stars. I press my hand to my cheek and gape at Smith as I rasp out, “You just hit me.”

He’s bending over me, so close that I can see his enlarged pupils magnified through his glasses. “I’m sorry—you were going into shock. I swear I don’t hit women. I mean, I don’t hit anyone. I’m a pacifist. I can’t even watch violent movies.” His throat bobs, his skin a sickly green color as he whispers, “Oh God, there was so much blood on him.”

I close my eyes as the vision of my dad burns in my mind, but I force it away before I can lose myself again.

Smith regains his composure after a long moment, visibly straightening his spine as he returns his focus to me. “What do you need?”

I’m grateful that he doesn’t ask if I’m okay. We both know the answer to that.

“Kael,” I say. “I need to find Kael.”

I need to tell him about the memory. I need to warn him about the security guard. Kael was with me at Luna Park, so he knows what the man looks like—maybe together we can figure out who he is and what he wants. He’s been planning something for years, something involving me, and I …

I can’t handle any more surprises.

“Do you know where he is?” Smith asks.

“He’s—” I break off with a curse, knowing exactly where he is. Or rather, knowing who he’s with.