The Veritas Conflict by Shaunti Feldhahn Read Free Book Online Page A

some time.” She dropped her notepad in her backpack and fought the urge to turn away. She stuck out her hand. “I’m Claire.”
    He nodded, ignoring her hand. “Yes. I’m Mitch. I’m a physics major. I’m working in the lab this year under Professor Roughton. Do you know Professor Roughton?”
    Claire let her hand drop to her side and shook her head.
    “Roughton is a giant in physics. He’s developed some of the main theories of our day on the flexibility of the time continuum. You should stop by and see me sometime in the lab. I can introduce you to him.”
    Claire could see Mitch’s eyes wandering to her long, curly hair. Her cheeks grew hot, and she stammered to think of a polite negative response. Help me, God! What do I do here?
    Suddenly someone clapped Mitch on the back, causing him to lurch forward a step.
    “Hey, Mitch, are you trying to hog all the prettiest freshmen again?”
    The voice belonged to a dark-haired student wearing a striped shirt and khakis. He turned toward Claire. “Mitch and I are in the same lab program. I’m Brent.” He thrust out his hand, winking at her above Mitch’s head.
    Claire returned the handshake. “Claire Rivers.”
    Brent placed a hand on her shoulder and stepped between her and Mitch. “I saw you looking at the a cappella group flyers. I was just going over to their tables, and I can show you if you like.”
    “If you don’t mind, that would be great.” She let Brent guide her away and nodded to Mitch over her shoulder. “Nice to meet you, Mitch.” He stared after her for a moment, then turned back to the bulletin boards.
    Claire let out an explosive sigh, and Brent started laughing. “You looked like a deer caught in the headlights. I just had to rescue you.”
    Claire put her hand to her forehead. “Thank you! I didn’t want to be mean.…”
    “Oh, you weren’t mean; don’t worry about it. Mitch is a one-of-a-kind guy. He’s a true prodigy, but has—how shall I put this?—no social skills. He’s your stereotypical physics genius who has no idea how to connect to people.”
    Claire looked up at Brent. “While you, on the other hand, don’t fit that stereotype at all.” She blushed in dismay. I can’t believe I just said that!
    Brent grinned down at her. “Well, someone in the physics department has to be normal!”
    They pushed past a large group of people, but Claire hardly noticed. She was focusing on keeping her mouth shut.
    “The tables for the choir stuffare mostly on the other side of the room,” Brent said. “Over there, see? What else are you interested in?”
    “I don’t really know yet. I’m just sort of wandering.”
    “Well, I’m posted at that booth over there, for the Harvard Lampoon —well, supposed to be posted, anyway.” His gaze was amused, and Claire blushed again. “Go ahead and wander, and if you have any questions, please stop by.” He left her abruptly, melding into the crowd.
    “Thanks.” She shook her head and muttered sarcastically to herself, “ ‘While you don’t fit that stereotype at all.’ Aagh!” Pounding the heel of her hand against her forehead, she turned away.
    Behind her, a glowing, invisible giant grinned.

FOUR
    I AN B URKE LOCKED HIS DOOR BEHIND HIM and cut through the backstreets of Cambridge, heading for campus. He stopped to pick up his mail at Harkness Commons, the law school’s student center. The long hallways echoed, empty in the week before classes started.
    Ian slung his backpack over one shoulder and made the short walk to Old Campus. Brown and gold leaves crunched under his feet, and he stooped to pick up a few early acorns and slip them into his backpack. One day he’d have a wife and a house and all the trappings of the nonstudent life that had eluded him for so long. When that day came, he’d like a Harvard oak tree growing in the backyard.
    That day was probably a long way away. He didn’t even know what firm he’d be working for next summer or what city he’d be