2. Prologue

Prologue

The campus was nice in the spring when the leaves appeared on the trees and maintenance turned on the fountain in front of Sprout Tower. Students sat around drinking coffee and doing homework. Some were socializing, but more often than not, the area contained solitary scholars.

“Hello, Professor Carpentier.” A girl with dark curly hair and smooth brown skin sat on the fountain’s edge with a book in her lap and her backpack beside her. She also had a paper cup from the coffee shop inside the tower building. Her name was Gabriella Washington. Henri remembered her despite her being in one of his larger classes, because she was one of his best students.

He stopped to talk to her even though he still had to grade papers. He had a meeting in the afternoon, so he couldn’t finish until after. Despite the busy day ahead, he wanted to make time for his students. He wouldn’t be a good teacher if he didn’t.

“Hi, Gabriella. How are you this morning?”

“I’m fine. Thank you.” Gabriella lifted the book from her lap so he could see the title. The title read The Origin of Genetic History in the Americas. “It’s a great book. Thank you for recommending it.”

Throughout the course of his class, Henri had learned Gabriella was one of the rare people who loved science, in particular biology, and history. Combining them was as natural for her as it was for him.

“It’s fascinating what the author says about the origins of humans in the Americas, isn’t it? She challenges everything we know about human existence.” The author had made a connection between the natural world and human existence, even going so far as to say shifters should exist as an adaptation. She had called shifters an evolution of humans, which wouldn’t sit well with the current culture of most paranormals. Even Henri bristled at being called human, but her theory seemed logical. She backed up her claim with solid scientific data.

“I’m dying to talk about it with someone.” Not many people wanted to talk about genetics or history. Combining them made finding someone to talk to about it almost impossible.

Before Henri could answer her, Jeffrey Perkins made a beeline straight for Henri. He’d been dogging Henri about helping him. So far, Henri had dodged him, but he could see the determination on Perkins’ face.

Henri smiled. “Dr. Perkins.”

“Carpentier.” Perkins smiled and then nodded to Gabriella’s books. “Are you teaching genetics now? Trying to replace me?”

Henri chuckled. “You’re too odd to replace, Perkins.”

“Of the two of us, I’m not the odd one.” Perkins smiled at Gabriella. “Did you know Professor Carpentier here studies for fun? I’ve caught him with a book on every subject. Anything from geography to interior design.”

Gabriella didn’t reply.

Henri met Gabriella’s gaze. “I have office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon if you would like to discuss the book more. I’d love to hear your take on it.”

“Thanks, professor.” Gabriella darted her gaze from him to Perkins and then back again. She crossed her legs and arms in front of her as if closing herself off. It was validating to know he wasn’t the only one who had a bad vibe from Perkins.

“I’ll see you in class.” Henri gave Gabriella one last smile before heading toward his office.

“See you then, professor.”

Pekins walked beside him. “Do you have time to discuss my theory? I’ll need your expertise, as you know.”

Henri stiffened. Jeffrey had talked about ways to make humans run faster and with enhanced senses. Henri didn’t want to discuss what he’d found. In the wrong hands, his findings could mean disaster. “I’m no expert.”

It had been about a month since they’d connected, and Henri had let slip how fascinating genetic alteration was. Since then, Perkins had become a bit of a stalker.

Jeffrey smiled. “You’ll be able to lend a lot to my research.”

“Research? Have you managed to get the financial backing?”

“Something like that.” Jeffrey followed Henri to his office.

“I don’t have time to meet this week. It’s been some time since I’ve read anything about genetic alteration. I’d have to consult my notes.” Henri set his shoulder bag in the corner next to his desk. He riffled around inside, pulling out a stack of papers, to make his point about how busy he was. His back was turned.

When he turned, Perkins’ expression was one of satisfaction, as if Henri had told him what he wanted to know. “Maybe next week. Have a good day.”

“Good day, Perkins.”

Perkins left Henri to his grading. He expected the feeling of foreboding to leave when Perkins did, but it hung on to him. He tried to his best to ignore it, but it grew throughout the day.

Halfway through his lecture, Henri realized he’d forgotten to lock his office door. It was a department rule. One he’d broken before and usually wasn’t a big deal because no one enforced it. But Henri’s gut twisted for reasons he couldn’t explain.

He’d searched his office for anything missing but hadn’t found it right away. It hadn’t been until he noticed Perkins hadn’t come around in a while that he thought to search for his notebook on genetics and had never found it. His absence had been odd given how he dogged Henri for weeks before.

Henri stayed silent about the theft, growing more concerned about whatever Jeffery was cooking up in his lab. For all Henri knew, he was creating an entirely different species of human.

The thought terrified him.