“My daughter died months ago,” he said quietly. “You—” his voice curdled, hardening again “—you’re just a problem. One I finally have a solution to.”
My stomach dropped.
Cold.
Hollow.
Final.
“So what will it be this time?” My voice shook. “Are you going to lock me up again? Is that it?” I was tired. Drained. Scared.
He shook his head, voice soft in a way that felt like another trap. “Not this time. No. Phillip has made me an offer I think will work for everyone. I’m transferring your care to him. Permanently.”
“Permanently? No!”
I stumbled back, panic clawing up my throat.
Gideon simply stood and sighed, as though I were an inconvenience. “He can help you, Persephone. He can help you control it. Properly.”
“He’s going to turn me into a lab rat!”
“Better in here than out there with people, don’t you think?” His tone sharpened, slicing through me. “Tell me the truth, Persephone. Do you honestly think someone like you should be out in public? With people?”
“Father, please. Please don’t do this. Don’t give me to him.”
A knock sounded on the door. Gideon sagged slightly, like the performance of caring had exhausted him. “It’s already done. I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” My voice broke. “You aren’t sorry!”
I scanned the room wildly.
There—the window.
It was open only a sliver, but I could fit. IknewI could. I sprinted toward it, Ash’s loose sweatshirt flaring around me.
I had only just reached the frame when hands seized me from behind.
“Whatever you do, don’t touch her skin!” Dr Marr barked.
I clawed at the window.
I kicked.
I dragged myself toward the air, toward the sky, toward anything that wasn’t this room.
They were too strong.
So I did the only thing left to me.
I screamed.
“Ash! SY! DEV! HELP ME! HELP ME—!”
The wind caught my voice and tore it from my throat, carrying it out, away, please let them hear—
Something slammed into the back of my skull.
Air vanished.
