Night's Edge by Liz Kerin

Author:Liz Kerin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group

NOW

Dinner tonight feels like déjà vu, except this time I’m the one glued to my phone. Mom doesn’t seem to notice, though. I usually stare at my phone during the draw, watching the timer till it’s over.

Jade said, “I’ll text you.” But of course, she didn’t say when. Or whether we’d be making plans. I’m capable of initiating. I have her number. And I was the one who asked for it. But it feels too soon. That could be the reason she hasn’t texted me yet. There’s also a very real chance this entire thing could be completely one-sided. It definitely feels like she’s been flirting with me. But that could be how she talks to everyone, and come to think of it I’ve never actually been flirted with so I don’t have anything to compare it to.

She might even have a boyfriend.

I don’t hear the alarm at first. Mom nudges me across the table.

“Look alive, soldier.”

“… Sorry.” I dislodge the needle and start emptying the reservoir.

“Mia, did you ever study Origin of Species? In school?”

“Did I ever … You mean like, Charles Darwin?” I’m not sure I’ve heard her correctly.

She nods excitedly, reaching for the pink tumbler. What’s this all about? I can’t imagine it’s related to Disneyland.

“Uh, we talked about it, but we didn’t read it. Why, you want to start a book club?” I fill a glass with tap water and reach for my iron supplements.

“There’s something I learned last night, something really interesting, that I wanted to tell you about.”

“Okay?”

My phone buzzes and I nearly choke on my pills.

I try to keep my face blank and casual as I peer down at my messages, like it’s just another public safety text from the local bots. But the thud of my heart betrays me.

Hiiiiiiii

And there she is. I open up the message, keeping one eye on Mom.

i’m drunk lol

anyway I got this for you

She’s included a photo of a peachy-pink rose quartz in the palm of her hand.

My head’s like a balloon, floating away from the rest of my body. She bought me a present? Why? Am I supposed to get her something?

Mom looks at me expectantly, like she wants me to prod her about this “really interesting” thing she just learned. But I’m miles away.

“While Devon was in the Sara center, he was doing a lot of reading and research to pass the time. He started writing this epilogue to Origin of Species that talks about the evolution of—”

“Pretty sure you can’t write an epilogue to someone else’s book.”

She bristles, but ignores my arrogant remark.

“It’s an epilogue in spirit. Anyway, last night he finally finished and told me I could read it. And honestly … Mia, think about this: Saras are stronger than any human being has ever been. We live longer, too. Way longer. And this disease … shit, if you can even call it that … you can’t inoculate against it. No vaccine, no cure. Because the body wants it. Do you get what I’m saying?”

I can’t focus.

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