Since Beni was going with us, I sat in the back with her. Evan didn’t say anything about it and I didn’t ask, giving him the silence he’d asked for. Maybe I wouldn’t screw that up this time.

Beni slid across the seat, linking our arms. “So, babe, how long have we been dating?”

“Well, obviously we’re high school sweethearts going to the same college.” Despite my piss-poor day, Beni was as infectious as always.

“Yes, yes, yes,” she said, snapping her fingers. “We totally have a marriage pact for graduation.”

“Better yet,” I said. “We get married at graduation.”

“Just imagine it.” She put her hand over her heart. “Walking to accept our diplomas in beautiful gowns.”

“Both of us in gowns?” I asked.

“It’s the twenty-first century, get into it.” She waved her hand. “That’s why I come out as a lesbian and leave you at the altar.”

“You mean at the podium.” I grinned.

She laughed.

“Don’t you think you two are getting a little extravagant?” said Evan from the front.

“Nonsense,” Beni sniffed. “All the best actors method.”

“I see,” Evan said in a tone that suggested he probably didn’t.

“Maybe he’s right,” I said in an attempt to smooth things over with my partner. “We should craft a real backstory, just in case.”

“Oh, trust me,” she said grandly. “I have been doing this longer after all.”

“By a whole couple months,” I said.

“And my partner is the Magda,” she said. “I have learned a few things.”

“Playing that card,” I groused.

RU was on the outskirts of town. If our theory about Song’s influence was correct, that made sense. She seemed to consider herself the protector of the town, so the feeding grounds would have to be outside the borders. Thinking of Song made me wonder how Espy was doing. We should never have let her go in there without backup, direct orders be damned.

“Hey.” Beni jostled me. “Auntie’ll be fine.” How did she always know what I was thinking? “She’s faced way scarier stuff than some old lady.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” I said, but for just a flash, mine and Evan’s eyes met in the rearview. Espy was the Magda, but Song was...something else.

As we got closer to the campus, we didn’t have to wonder where to go. Traffic cones were set up with signs taped to them. From the main gate, we just followed the arrows for our time slot. The parking lot was almost full of cars, more than I thought there would be for a campus tour. Must be a summer session.

“All righty.” Beni sounded legitimately eager as we pulled into a spot. “You ready for this?”

I was. The familiarity of a mission, even just a recon one, was exactly what I needed to get my head on straight.

“Let’s do it.”

As we got out of the car, I shot a look around. Quick, casual, yet taking in every detail. We were trained to absorb information with a single glance, the best way to be prepared for anything. But then something happened I didn’t expect.

“Seth, wait.” Even threw open his door and stood up.

I just stared. He was supposed to stay out of sight, what was he doing?

“I, uh…” He didn’t seem to know either, standing in front of me with his mouth working like he couldn’t find words.

“I think we’re supposed to sign in over there.” Beni pointed. “I’ll just...go do that.”

“I just--about before,” he started.

“Evan, I get it,” I said. “I won’t undermine you again, okay?”

“No, that’s not what I mean.” His face, strained and awkward, reminded me of my confession in the woods. Had it really only been yesterday? Felt like weeks. “I know this hasn’t gone as smoothly as either of us hoped, and that hasn’t all been your fault. I’ve been frustrated, that’s all. Whatever wall you’re keeping up between us won’t come down if you can’t trust me.”

“We really don’t have time for this right now.” I glanced around, but nobody was paying us any mind.

“Let me finish,” he said. “I just wanted to let you know that you can tell me anything. Whatever secret--”

“Is that what this is all about? Still?” Something snapped, and before I could stop myself I stepped closer, palmed both sides of his face, and pulled his mouth down to mine. He didn’t stop me, and our lips touched. Every secret wish I’d had since I was at least fourteen was really happening.

I kept it chaste, no violin-swelling make-out. Just a quick, nice kiss. His lips were soft and warm, and despite the PG rating it was one of the best moments of my life. I pulled away, blinking my eyes open to his stunned expression.

“Now you know,” I murmured, and went after Beni.