Four stared at Claire with the same laser-like intensity Alex had when he first came to stay with her. He was obviously processing her words and trying to decide for himself whether or not he thought they were true.
He rounded on Carmen. "Is that really why he only went to you?"
She nodded. "He said he came to me first because he thought he would be able to convince me and that I would have better odds talking to the others. What Claire said about him wanting all of us to have lives of our own on the outside is correct.
"But I did not want to have a life of my own without you in it. We have trained together most consistently since we were children and it would feel strange if you were not by my side. I do not intend to let anyone take me away from you. Do you understand?"
"I—"