"Rohilah wanted to give her daughter an Italian-sounding name."
The collective absorbed the news and then bounced it between them. Number Three was excited, and his excitement was echoed and amplified through the others. Happy excitement.
That didn't happen often to them.
That almost never happened.
"He will be excited to hear that he has a sister." Number One couldn't stop the grin spreading over his face.
"You're smiling," Sullha said. "You look happy."
"I'm happy for my friend."
Number Three was saying that he wanted to come with Number One the next time they came to visit the enclosure, so he could see his sister.
"He probably will want to come with me next time I visit."
"I don't know if I can take him to see his mother and sister or even arrange for them to be here. Rohilah doesn't bring Bianca to the playground yet." Sullha chewed on her lower lip. "Can he do what you do? With the thrall?"
Number One hesitated. "Not as well as I can."
"Why not as well?"
"Because strengths vary between immortals."
"I see."
"I'll help him," he said. "We're stronger together."
He realized his mistake the moment the words were out of his mouth.
He waited, but Sullha did not catch it.
She nodded, accepting the statement at face value. "Who else remembers siblings?"
He let out a breath, and the collective eased as if they had all followed his example.
"Number Five has a younger brother who is in the army. Number Six had an older brother who also volunteered for the enhancement program and was killed. Number Seven has two younger brothers, both of whom are in the army. Number Eight doesn't know of any siblings."
"There aren't any. Vinnah has only ever had one son."
The collective absorbed that without comment.
"No names for the brothers?" she asked.
He shook his head. "That is all we have for now. Maybe we will remember more later."
"All right." Sullha opened the book, pulled out the note, opened it, refolded it neatly, and tucked it back inside the book. "I told Asira. She's in."
"When did you speak with her?"
"Earlier today. I told her there was a way out, and she said to count her in before I had even finished the sentence."
"That's good."
"She's so eager to get out of here that she didn't even ask me how."
"She must trust you."
