Page 159 of A University of Betrayal

I knew nothing. At least that’s how it felt after three months in this town. And all my mum told me was“Trust me”or“It’s better for you this way”.

No. It wasn’t.Ignorance had already cost many people their lives. Alone the crap that had happened to Larissa. Maybe I should have let her in on it...

“I found something on my mother’s desk. Something she’s researching.”

I didn’t know why I brought it up now, but it was too late anyway.

Alarik glanced at me. It was clear from his expression that I had aroused his deepest curiosity, and my hesitation didn’t make it any better.

“Do you want to tell me?”

Yes, I did.That was probably the reason. I had to talk to someone about my weird mother. “She’s kind of researching the heritability of the species’ genetics.”

Alarik nodded. “What exactly did you find?”

“A document... a protocol, to be more precise.”

Alarik fell silent again. I had apparently given him a lot to think about.

I was on the verge of confronting him about the letter, but that was perhaps too much. Above all, it was one thing:Private.

“When was the protocol dated?”

I looked at Alarik, confused.

Did that matter?

“It looked old.”

“And you found it in her files?” I felt like a criminal. Alarik looked at me. “That wouldn’t be a bad thing. If I were you, I would try to find out the truth, too.”

I was surprised. I hadn’t gotten that much sympathy from anyone in the last few months. But then didn’t he also assume that I might have found the letter? Now I was confused. Maybe he had forgotten the letter or thought Mum had thrown it away long ago? Maybe she had never actually replied.

“The letter was on the desk.”

“Letter?”

“Um...” I realized I was blushing and quickly turned my face to the window. Those moments when thoughts took on a life of their own… “The protocol, I mean.”

Silence again.

“Do you think my mother is still researching it?”

“Quite possible, knowing her.”

Bingo.Hedidknow her. But he had mentioned that, so further questions in that direction would only be strange.

“Why is this so important to her?” I thought aloud and watched Alarik carefully. He was driving straight past the unusually peaceful university parking lot, down the street to wherever.

“Your mother is a very ambitious researcher.”

“She said no one should find out.”

“And she’s right. You shouldn’t actually tell anyone.”

How ironic that he had just let me tell him. Had he wanted to test me?

“I just thought you might have an answer...” I tried to explain myself.

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