The Gender Lie(56)

“What can I do for you, Violet?” she asked, and I crossed the room, hurriedly setting the vial of pills on her desk.

She frowned in confusion. “What’s this?”

I dropped down in a chair and leaned forward. “It’s Benuxupane,” I said, rubbing my hands together.

She narrowed her eyes at the pills, considering them. “Why are you showing me this?” she asked.

“I know that Lee must have told you about them, what they did?”

“He told me the intention—suppressing emotions. I fail to see how—” She paused, and I saw the realization dawning in her eyes.

“I think that, somehow, King Maxen found out about the flaws in Mr. Jenks’ process,” I said eagerly, scooting forward in the chair until I was a few inches short of falling. “I’m not sure how—maybe he also got some of the classified documents. Anyway, instead of wasting the time to perfect the process, he was going to replicate it, and use the Benuxupane to counter the effects.”

Desmond looked dubious. “How could you know that?” she asked.

“I don’t. But it’s the only reason I could come up with for their development. It makes sense though, right?”

She leaned back with a thoughtful expression. “It’s an interesting theory, but why are you telling me this now?”

“To be honest, I kind of forgot that I still had the Benuxupane. I only just remembered, but… it has the potential to help the boys, right?”

Desmond licked her lips. “Maybe,” she hedged. “It’s certainly worth giving this to the scientists and having them run some tests.”

A sense of relief washed over me. “Thank you, Desmond,” I said. I moved to stand up, but she cleared her throat and I stalled before slowly lowering myself back down.

“I have to admit, I did not expect this conversation from you when I saw you outside. I expected… anger in light of your brother’s decision.”

I settled back in the chair, trying to formulate a response. After a moment, I leaned forward again. “It’s not your fault regarding Tim,” I said. “He probably asked you because he knew I would be opposed to his decision.”

“I see. And now?’

I shrugged, uncertain of what to say. “I’m not happy, but as long as you promise he’s there of his own volition, I can’t argue with you about it.”

“Hm,” Desmond muttered. “Well, I hope you’re onto something with the Benuxupane, Violet. I so desperately want to get those boys out of here. I don’t like being in the snake pit longer than I have to be.”

I nodded in total understanding. I didn’t like living under the uncertainty of a Matrian attack. Even with Thomas assuring us that they thought the base was destroyed—that didn’t stop them from sending someone out on foot to confirm.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is… thank you for the polite discourse this time,” Desmond said.

I gave a small laugh. “Least I could do, I guess. I am… sorry… for being such a pain.”

She nodded seriously, then smirked. “To be honest, you remind me a lot of myself,” she said, and I blinked, taken aback. “It’s a good thing,” she assured me. “I had a similar drive and tenacity… plus a certain attitude about authority figures. It took years to smooth out the rough edges. It’s been so long that now, I find I’ve become the very thing I rebelled against in my youth.”

“You’re not that bad.”

She gave me a scolding look and I sat back from the heat of it. “Okay,” I corrected myself, “so maybe you are, but… I can try to meet you halfway, at least.”

Curiosity glistened in her eyes. “So, you and your Mr. Croft have decided to stay with us?”

I bit my lower lip and shifted. “I don’t know about Viggo, but I’m certainly considering it.”

She drummed her fingers on the desk and then nodded. “I think your Mr. Croft is unlikely to want to stay. I got the distinct impression when I met with him today that he doesn’t really like me.”

“No, Viggo makes everyone feel that way when he first meets them,” I said, and she gave me a polite smile.

“I see,” she said, doubt thick in her voice. I dropped the subject. I did not want to talk about Viggo. “Well, I’ll let you know what they say about this,” she said, shaking the little vial of Benuxupane on the desk, and I rose at the dismissal.

“Thanks,” I said before turning to go.

I had made it all the way back to my room when I ran into Dr. Tierney, who was sliding a note under my door.