Chapter 53

According to what Matthew gathered from Nathan, the victim was Amy Winnings, a twenty-seven-year-old Beta. Though she had studied a different subject, she was an Oxford alumna like Nathan, a level of academic pedigree that was frankly intimidating.

This was the first reported kidnapping attempt involving a Beta since the case began, and the department was desperate for it to be linked to the Beta Tester.

Due to the influx of people, Alex stood guard by Amy Winnings’ bed, sitting in the very chair Nathan had occupied. She finally began to stir around midnight; she seemed deeply shaken but had sustained no significant internal or external injuries beyond being knocked unconscious.

Once Amy opened her eyes, Alex called for a nurse. After ensuring the nurse had arrived, he stepped out of the room to inform Matthew and Sergeant Hayden.

As he rounded the corner, he collided with someone. Startled, wondering if he still hadn’t fully regained his senses, Alex stepped back and looked up. The person he had hit was taller than him.

His eyes met a wall of vivid green.

Ah.

Alex froze. Nathan stood before him in his white coat, his face a perfect mask of indifference. His shoulders, which Alex remembered being slightly narrower than his own, now seemed equal to his, perhaps even broader. And he was taller, by about the width of two fingers. It was a physical testament to the time that had passed, something Alex hadn’t registered while Nathan was seated.

The realization sent a chill down his spine, followed by a strange, electric thrill. It felt impossibly surreal. A Nathan who was taller than him? He found it hard to believe he actually had to tilt his head up to meet the man’s eyes.

In that frozen moment, Alex’s mind foolishly drifted to the past.

“I’ll grow later,” a calm, stubborn voice whispered in his ear, the memory of a pale hand holding up an umbrella for him.

You really did grow. It’s amazing.

His heart began to soften at the minor miracle, but the present Nathan’s voice cut through his thoughts.

“My apologies,” Nathan said.

His apology for the collision was clinical and bone-dry, not just cold but frigid. This was the voice Nathan always reserved for people who weren’t his friends.

“Ah, it’s okay.”

Stupidly, despite the formality Nathan had shown him, Alex spoke with the casual ease of their youth. He immediately saw a flicker of irritation cross Nathan’s face, or perhaps it was more like contempt. Two thoughts flashed through Alex’s mind: He does remember me and Of course he had look at me like that.

Alex ignored the blooming ache in his chest and quickly corrected his speech. “No, it’s my fault. I wasn’t looking where I was going. I’m sorry.”

He took two steps back.

“Yes,” Nathan replied simply. Without another word or even a glance, he brushed past Alex and walked away.

Alex stood there awkwardly, his hand going to his cheek. He had no idea what kind of face he was making.

He stared blankly at the spot where Nathan had been until he finally remembered what he had been doing. Right. He had to tell Matthew and Hayden. He stumbled slightly before finding his balance and heading down the hallway.

☂