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Seth grabbed one hand while Clary clutched the other. He swallowed a groan and tipped his head back. He wanted to yell at Hugh to calm down. The Eolenfeld was only wasting precious time.
Then Clary let go of Hugh and slapped the Eolenfeld’s face.
Hugh froze.
“I’m not going to let you die,” Clary said slowly. “Trust me, the way you did when you asked me to help get you out of that boarding school.”
Hugh’s face was blank, but the strength had gone out of his limbs, so Seth dropped his hands.
Seth glanced over at Clary, then picked up his cutter again.
“I’ve always wondered,” Clary said. “Why me? Why did you write to me?”
Hugh stared blankly into space.
Seth looked between Hugh and Clary, wondering if the Eolenfeld had gone into shock. As long as he doesn’t move … Seth got back to work.
“Because I knew you were the only one who would care enough to fight for me.”
Clary blinked and sighed. “I’m sorry I got you expelled.”
“You should be.”
Despite the situation, a corner of Seth’s lips curled back when he saw all Clary’s sympathy dissipate.
“You’re supposed to apologize for spreading that stupid rumor.”
“I hate you. Do you know how much I hate you?” Hugh turned to her, and Seth stopped what he was doing.
“Why are we here?” Seth asked.
“Why do you, a gardener’s daughter, get to have everything we have—all without having to work for it?” Hugh suddenly jerked up straighter. “But the rest of us have to work so hard just to get the old man to notice us.”
“Because I don’t treat him like a money tree. I don’t live my life with the sole purpose of getting money out of him.”
“You think I have a choice?”
“You always have. You could go out and earn your own money, like the rest of the world does.”
“But you get things handed to you.”
Clary exhaled heavily from her mouth. “Only because you messed up so bad, and …” She shook her head. “Why am I even explaining myself to you? Just stop being a parasite and actually start contributing as a functioning adult.”
Hugh dropped his head forward, but didn’t say a word.
Seth shifted the timer and tapped on the screen as it started counting down the last two minutes.
“I don’t know how.” Hugh shut his eyes. “And I guess I won’t have to figure it out.”
Clary nodded at Seth. I trust you, she mouthed.
Seth was confident. He might know nothing about bombs, but circuits and wires? He was an expert.
But still …
He squared his shoulders. As he did that, he caught sight of the ‘Jesus loves you’ poster on the wall. If You really do, you’ll keep her safe. Keep me from making a mistake.
He pinched two wires together and brought his cutter close.
