Infinityglass (Hourglass 3)

“Your mom sent me to steal the Skroll. I thought it was a legit Chronos job. I didn’t even think twice about it until she told me not to mention it to you or your dad.”

Even though Mom hadn’t worked closely with us for a while, she still assigned Chronos jobs. “That smells all kinds of shady.”

“Exactly. I threw her off track and pretended I couldn’t get the Skroll open.”

“But you did get it open.”

“Not me. Dr. Turner. I had to return it to Teague before he finished reading all the information. He tried to get it back, but your mom suspected something was up.” Poe stared at his fist as he flexed it. “And then, the next day, he was gone.”

“I didn’t even know you knew him. How did you meet?”

“Long story. But he believed in me when no one else did.”

Something told me not to push. “He told Dad how the Infinityglass gene worked before he died. We know something triggered it, but we don’t know what.”

“I’ve been trying to help Dune figure it out.” He pointed at his laptop on the kitchen table. A neat stack of index cards and a crystal skull pencil holder, with multicolor pens, sat beside it.

“So you’re helping the Hourglass now?”

“No.” He frowned. “I’m helping you.”

“They’re different from Chronos in so many ways.” I leaned back on the arm of the couch. “The Hourglass keeps Dune … informed, at least.”

“That’s not the only difference. I was in Ivy Springs. I saw the way they all worked together. The kind of jobs they do. They help people.”

“And?” I asked.

“It was impressive. I guess that’s what it’s like to work for the good guys.”

“That makes Chronos the bad guys.”

“Are the jobs we do there legit? Do we help the people who need it, or the ones who can afford it?”

“I don’t know. But the reason you fell for Mom’s bull is because we never questioned anything.”

“It opened my eyes.” He looked at me. “I don’t want to be that guy anymore. Do you want to be that girl?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“I know you think you’re invincible, Hallie, but you aren’t. Every time your mom takes a chance to get what she wants, the consequences are worse. I don’t want to see you on the receiving end of whatever Teague does to manipulate you next.”

“I don’t want to see it, either. But Dad’s cut her out of Chronos now. We don’t have to deal with her.”

“I don’t,” Poe said. “You do. She’s your mother.”

“That’s just blood. And in my book? Choice wins out over blood every time.”

Dune

Hallie walked into my room without knocking. “Are you always this organized?”

“I actually am.”

“Impressive.”

“How did it go with Poe?” I asked.

“Fine.” I could see her, trying to convince herself to believe her own lie. My hackles rose.