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The woman who releases me from the cage the next day doesn’t say a word as she unlocks it. Her short, dark hair has gray strands threading through it. Her expression is troubled.

Once I step out of the cage, she says, “Amira, I’m Sela. I’m in command of this hub now, and I know this doesn’t make up for what’s been done to you, but I apologize.”

“Can I leave?”

“Not yet. I’m working on it.”

The rage that’s been simmering inside me for so long starts to boil. “So you’re basically moving me into a nicer-looking cage.”

Her shoulders sink slightly. “You want the truth? The only difference between the Deadmen and the Fire Eaters is that the Deadmen don’t burn and eat their victims. The Deadmen are a bunch of animals. Their new thing is throwing acid on their victims, being careful not to kill them. They suffer for days or weeks.”

I flinch and look away.

“From what our San Antonio people found out about you, we thought you’d want to help us find the Deadmen. You’re the only one who has gotten away from them, other than your partner Donovan, who, as you know, is dead.”

My hand itches with the urge to stroke my fingers over the smooth surface of a bow. It’s been a long time since I went so long without one.

“You should have asked me. Not manipulated and lied to me.”

“Yes.”

I wait for the “but.” Surely she’s going to justify what Evander and the other ILF people did to me. Sela just looks at me, though, her expression defeated.

“New America takes people’s autonomy. The ILF did the same thing to me. I willingly gave it to the Deadmen, and I swore I’d never do it again. I fight for myself and the people I love. That’s it.”

She nods. “You won’t be forced to do anything.”

“If you’re still holding me prisoner, can I at least take a shower?”

“Of course. Diego wants to evaluate you after that, and you can eat.”

I am feeling depleted from the lack of food. I think it’s been ten days since I last saw Evander. I lost track of time in the cage. Aromium changes my metabolism, but I still need some food.

“Fine.”

“I’ll show you where you can take a shower.”

She leads me from the room, down a hallway, and eventually, out of the building. Outside, a cool breeze scatters leaves over the sidewalks.

I think it’s a new year now—not that it matters. New year, same old shit.

I couldn’t feel Briar at all when I was in the cage. I reach out, but it’s the same out here. Nothing.

She’s alive, though. I felt it when the kudzu saved me, and I think I’d feel it if she was seriously ill or dying. Knowing our connection is there, even when it’s dormant, soothes me.

I try to feel the trees on the campus quad as we walk through it. There’s nothing, though. I seem to have a subset of what Briar does, like she’s the trunk of a tree and I’m a branch.

Sela takes me into a former dormitory, where people sit at tables and on couches in the lobby. Someone is seated behind a desk, making it seem like this really is a college dorm. If all the students were carrying weapons, that is.

“You’re on the second floor.” Sela opens the door to a stairwell and I follow her into it. “This is a coed housing unit.”

“Perfect.” I give her a sarcastic smile. “‘More men, please,’ said no woman. Ever.”

She ignores the jab. “There are bathrooms on each end of the floor. One is for men, one is for women, and nonbinary people use whichever one they want, which is probably the women’s because it doesn’t smell like piss.”

I’d probably like Sela if we’d met under different circumstances. She stops in front of a door, passing me a key.

“I’m the only other person who has a key to this room, and you have my word that it won’t be used unless I think your life is in danger.”