“I can deal with words,” Adam said, glad to have Alec’s protection for anything physical. Resting his forearms over the arm of the chair, he gazed down at Alec, a little bit fascinated by his long lashes and hazel eyes. He was so close like this, kneeling by Adam’s side, and Adam could feel some of the warmth radiating off of him in the places where their bodies almost touched. It was strange how Alec thought he was unexceptional. He was so breathtaking that Adam couldn’t help but notice.

“There’s something that’s been bothering me,” he said after a minute, not looking away from Alec. He felt strangely calm, confident that Alec would keep any secret and that he wouldn’t think ill of Adam for anything. It was a kind of trust that Adam had only felt before with Gansey and Ronan. “The Institute’s system seems fine with the increase in power. Flourishing. Except for this one spot.”