“I told them to show me to their labs,” Bri goes on. “And I’d brew up a potion that would essentially knock you unconscious. So they could do whatever they wanted to you.” She pulls another vial from her bag as she talks, her countenance growing more lucid. This one has a minty paste inside, and she rubs it on the scratches on her arms. “They’re idiots, of course, and had no idea what I was actually doing. What I made instead was a Defense Boost that would fight off anything they gave to me. I hid away as much as I could. But after a while they realized I was just buying time and started poking me with needles and making me take stuff to pry the truth out of me. They told me they’d stop if I agreed to do something for them. Something to you, Rue.”

Chills run down my arms.

“But when I refused, they decided to try to extract any and everything I knew about your magic from my memory synapses. Your cuffs… well, arms now, I guess. They’re determined to get them off in one piece, as long as it takes. That’s why they haven’t killed you.”

Jhamal and I glance at each other. He was right.

I take the paste from her and dab it on her face, under her eyes, too. The swelling there deflates like a balloon.

“They gave me potion after potion, but my Defense Boost kept me holding on. And joke’s on them because while I had access to their lab, I made all sorts of stuff we can use. Ha! I knew you’d come for me eventually.”

I press my forehead to hers, grinning. “Oh my god, you’re such a badass. WHO ARE YOU? Did I do this to you?”

“Yes, I credit you for this metamorphosis.” She smirks and throws an arm around my shoulders. And for a moment one thing in all this mess feels right. Bri’s going to be okay.

“I’m just so glad you’re alright. Before they captured you, when we got separated during the fighting, I realized you didn’t have your watch….”

I cup my arm. Julius. I left it with him… when I told him I would bring him here once things got settled. It’s been months. He’s probably worried as shit. And my sister, Ms. Leola. They’re all probably freaked out.

“… I couldn’t reach you and I freaked. So, I followed them. But they caught me.”