Free Resistance (The Variant Series #2) by Jena Leigh

that she knew what was really happening to her.
    She could hardly be expected to focus on the litany of dead guys and historical events in her AP World History textbook, when there were much more pressing matters for her to worry about in the present .
    Between Masterson, the Agency, and her barely controlled abilities, Alex found focusing on homework a tad difficult.
    And don’t even get her started on her flaming wreck of a love life.
    She thought about telling Mr. Whitley all of that. Instead, she’d hastily promised to work hard on her upcoming chem project and made her escape before he could ask her any more questions.
    Now if only she could escape from this situation as easily.
    Honestly. Could Declan have picked a more uncomfortable hiding place?
    His familiar scent washed over her as they struggled to catch their breath, that swirling mix of ashes and cinnamon and something warmer. Something Declan .
    He was staring down at her, studying the lines of her face in the shadows.
    Footsteps echoed in the hallway on the other side of the door.
    They didn’t have much time.
    “Changed your mind yet?” whispered Declan.
    She looked away.
    If there was ever a time to go back on her resolution, it was now. One touch from Declan and they’d be home free.
    All Alex had to do was say yes.
    “No,” she said.
    Declan sighed, reaching for the door handle. “Then run , Lex. And whatever you do—whatever you hear —don’t stop running.”
    With that, Declan stepped out of the broom closet and back into the glaring florescent light of the corridor. He slammed the door shut behind him before she could object.
    “Looking for me?”
    Alex could hear Declan’s grin, even if she couldn’t see it.
    “Where is she, O’Connell?” asked a familiar voice.
    There was a shuffle of footsteps as Declan inched his way further down the hall, heading toward Bay View High’s commons area at the center of campus.
    “Who? Alex?” asked Declan. “How should I know? She left me hanging the first chance she got. She ran.”
    “And why don’t I believe that?” The voice grew louder as the speaker approached the door.
    Alex held her breath, hand frozen in place, hovering an inch above the doorknob.
    “Because you have trust issues?” offered Declan. “And anyway, it doesn’t matter. She’s not the one you want.”
    “Oh?”
    The smile was back in Declan’s voice. “I’m the one you really want.”
    The footsteps passed by the closet door and continued on slowly down the hall, matching Declan’s sluggish pace in an attempt to keep him from bolting.
    “ You’ve got it, then? Not Alex?”
    “Joke’s on her,” said Declan. “I stole it back just before she ditched me.”
    Mustering her courage, Alex turned the doorknob—just as a flash of violet light made its way through the gaps of the doorframe, briefly illuminating her hiding place. She opened the door a small crack and peered outside.
    Standing in an otherwise empty hallway, arms akimbo and a scowl on her face, was Cassie.
    “Dammit, Decks!” Cassie shouted, breaking into a run. “ That’s cheating !”
    Declan’s laughter rang out from the direction of the commons area.
    “Catch me if you can, blondie!”
    Cassie’s pounding footsteps disappeared down the hall and Alex crept out of her hiding place.
    That was close.
    This was their final match of the night. One more win and she and Declan walked off with the prize.
    But first she needed to make it to the finish line. And unlike Declan, Alex couldn’t just zap herself there. She’d have to cover the remaining distance the old fashioned way—on foot.
    The cell phone in her pocket chimed.
    Startled, she stumbled to a halt, digging it out of the back pocket of her jeans and checking the screen.
    Alex swallowed a groan as she read the text.
     
    WHERE R U? GROUP STARTS IN 5.
     
    The study group! Crap!
    The text was from Sara Morales, one of the few people at Bay View High who still condescended to speak with Alex