“That’s ridiculous,” Thisbe said wearily. “Why would I do that?”

“So you can kill her.”

Thisbe took in a sharp breath. The earnest, eager look in Rohan’s eye seemed an odd contrast to the tears still drying on his cheeks. Thisbe wasn’t sure how he’d figured it out, but it was true he knew her best of anyone. And he kept going on about Seth, who was right up there. It wasn’t too surprising that between them, they’d figured this out.

She dropped her gaze and turned away to hide her confusion. She needed to think this through. How would his knowledge of this affect him if he ended up being truly compromised later? Would her refusal to confirm it help save him if something awful happened? If Rohan thought he knew what she was doing, and he actually got it right, was there still a way to protect him from the Revinir in case she fed him more broth? This was getting way too confusing.

“Thisbe,” Rohan said, his voice pleading. “Please say something. I’m delirious with exhaustion and sorrow. But I know I’m right. I have to be. Or else I have to question every truth I’ve ever known.”

“No,” Thisbe lied, because she didn’t know what else to do. “I’m sorry, but you’re wrong. I really do just want to be like the Revinir.” But she couldn’t get herself to make him leave again. She’d lost her stamina. She dropped onto the foot of her bed and sat there feeling thickheaded with all the questions swimming around. She didn’t know the answer to anything.

Rohan narrowed his eyes. “You’re lying again. But I get it. You can only say things that are safe for me to repeat in case I get mind controlled.” He stepped toward her, then dropped to one knee. “Listen to me, Thisbe. Please. I have a solution that should satisfy you and make you feel better about telling me the truth.”

Thisbe glanced at him. “What is it?”

Rohan opened his rucksack. He reached inside and pulled out a handful of vials. “Prindi took these, remember? When we all escaped the catacombs together. It’s ancestor broth.”

Thisbe sat up straighter. Sure enough, it was the deep, rich, golden-colored liquid with bits of herbs floating inside. She remembered now, shoving that sack of them at Prindi. Thisbe’s mind began to whir. “I forgot we had them.”

“Well, I didn’t. And I brought them along purposely because I know how sneaky the Revinir is.”

“And?” Thisbe began to figure out his plan, but she was still so hesitant. She didn’t want to say anything that could cause problems later.

“And I can drink as many of these as you want me to.”

Thisbe closed her eyes as pain and hope swirled together inside her. “Why, though?” she whispered, even though she knew the answer.