“Surely it’s not that bad—is it?” I say, hoping to lighten the tone.

But he just lifts his shoulders, voice completely serious when he says, “No, I suppose you’re right. It’s not all hatred and hardship out there. Every now and then, if you’re lucky, you can stumble upon the occasional pocket of happiness.”

“Wow, that’s a littledark , don’t you think?” I force a laugh, though his words have left me more shaken than I care to admit.

But he just shrugs and squints, his eyes narrowing to where I can just barely see them. “Anyway, not trying to insult you, it’s just not my thing, that’s all. I have no interest in it.”

I shrug too, ready to move on, out of this parking lot, and onto the real reason we’re here.

“So…” He looks at me. “Is that it? Are we good here?”

“Sure, we’regood. But we’re a long ways fromdone .” I motion for him to follow as I make for the gate.

Taking a moment to close my eyes, andsee the lock springing open in my mind, before calling over my shoulder to say, “Trust me, we haven’t even begun yet.”

I push the gate open, assuming he’ll follow, and surprised when I glance back only to find him still standing on its other side.

“Ever, what’s this really about? Why’d you want to meet here of all places? I thought you were through with school?”

I shake my head, taking a moment to gaze at a group of buildings I’ve managed to ditch all week and didn’t miss even the slightest bit. “Turns out I’m not. Besides, this is the only place I could think of that would offer us the space and privacy we’re gonna need.”

His spliced brow jumps, clearly intrigued.

But I just roll my eyes and head for the gym, knowing he’s right behind me this time.

“That door locked too?” His gaze moves over my arms, my legs, the back of my neck, pretty much anyplace where my skin is bared.

I nod, concentrating on the door, hearing the bolt slam back into place before I open it and say, “You first.”

He heads inside, his rubber flip-flops squeaking against the polished wood floor as he makes his way to the middle of the room, where he stops, lifts his arms to his sides, throws his head back, inhales deeply, and says, “Yep, it’s definitely got that universal high school gym stench I remember so well.”

I smile, but only a little, before I’m back to business again.

I didn’t come here to joke around or engage in useless small talk. I came here to save him. Or, more correctly, to teach him everything he needs to know so that he can save himself in case I’m not around to do it for him.

Because no matter how angry I may be with him, no matter how many doubts I may have about him, I still feel it’s my duty to guard him from Haven.

“So, I figured we should just get right to it, no use wasting any more time than we already have.”

He looks at me, face wearing the slightest sheen of sweat. Though it’s unclear if it’s due to the stuffy, hot air or the apprehension of wondering just what it is that he’s gotten himself into, what might be expected of him.

I take a moment to settle in, dropping my bag in the corner, retying my shoe, and removing my T-shirt to reveal the white, finely ribbed tank top I wear underneath. Smoothing my hands over the front of it and adjusting the elastic waistband of my shorts, as I approach him and say, “Obviously you know about the chakras.” I stand before him, studying him carefully but allowing him no time to react when I add, “I mean, since you so successfully killed Roman that way—”

“Ever, I—” He starts, but I won’t permit it, won’t allow the flow of excuses to begin. I’ve heard all that, and I’m not one bit swayed. Besides, I can’t afford to be coerced into an argument that may change my mind about him—aboutthis .

“Save it.” I raise my hand between us. “That’s another topic, for another day. For now, the only thing we’re going to discuss is the fact that Haven has powers you can’t even begin to imagine—”That even I can’t begin to imagine. “Powers she’s pretty drunk on at the moment, which makes her reckless and dangerous and someone you need to steer clear of at all costs. But if by chance you run into her for some reason, or, even worse, she decides to come after you, which, I’m sorry to say, is really the more likely scenario, well, either way, you need to be prepared. So, with all that in mind, with everything you know about her, which chakra would you choose to obliterate her?”

He looks at me, lip quirked to the side, and it’s clear he’s not taking this at all seriously, which is a grave mistake on his part.

“The sooner you answer, the sooner we’ll get through this—” I sing, hands on my hips, fingers impatiently tapping against them.

“Third.” He nods, flattening his palm just under his chest for emphasis. “Solar plexus, otherwise known as the revenge center, the home of deep-seated anger issues, and that sort of thing. So, are we good here? Did I pass? Can I collect my gold star and go home now?” He lifts his spliced brow.

“Okay, so now I want you to pretend thatI’m Haven,” I say, completely ignoring the question along with the obvious plea in his gaze. “And I want you to come at me, to target me in the exact same way you’d target her.”

“Ever,please ,” he begs. “This is ridiculous! Ican’t do it. Really. I mean, while I appreciate your concern and all, trust me, it means a lot to me, but this sort of forced reenactment—” He shakes his head, dreadlocks swinging from side to side. “It’s—it’s a little embarrassing. To say the least.”