For hours, they were left alone in the dark. There were no windows to give them a sense of passing time. No water, no food. A couple of the girls swooned. It was difficult to help them in the tight confines.

Serina dozed standing up for a little while, hounded by nightmares, and she spent her waking hours internally debating where this interminable day stood in the pantheon of her worst life moments. Was it better than the night Petrel died? Worse than her fight with the Commander? At least that debacle had ended with them taking Mount Ruin. Of course, Oracle had been killed.

At some point, Serina realized she was quietly becoming hysterical, her own frantic panting breaths echoing in her ears. She closed her eyes and imagined vast ceilings and tried to slow the chaotic pace of her heart.

Hours or days later, a distant clank heralded someone’s arrival. A light clicked on above them, bathing the exhausted, terrified women in its sallow glare. Serina found the strength to push to the front of the room, by the iron door. Anika took the place at her shoulder, Ember on her other side. Serina knew Val stood behind her, with all the women who’d fought so hard to create a new life for themselves. The numbness broke apart under that unforgiving light.

The door creaked open.

Four men stood in the hall, three in black uniforms, their hands on their firearms.

The fourth—

For a split second, Serina was staring at the ghost of a memory. She was climbing a long staircase, two handsome brothers looking down from the top. One was severe and intense, the other rumpled and distracted.

Asa had dropped the act. There was nothing disorganized or endearing about him now. His eyes were dark as ink, and the twist of his mouth betrayed his cruelty.

Did he recognize her? She couldn’t tell. His gaze passed over her without pausing. He surveyed the press of women and smiled. “Ah. My little insurrectionists.”

Ice razored down Serina’s spine.

“You know, my father underestimated you,” Asa said conversationally. “He threw you all on an island and gave his guards free rein. He forgot about you. But you wouldn’t be forgotten, would you? You’re smarter than he gave you credit for.”

He smiled. Serina thought she might be sick.

“I’m different,” he shared, his eyes glittering. “I appreciate a woman’s intellect. Her propensity for deceit.”

Asa shifted his weight. Behind him, the guards waited patiently.

“One such woman, very beautiful, very intelligent, joined your ranks not too long ago. Nomi, where are you?” he raised his voice, calling into the cramped room.

“She’s dead,” Maris snapped, from somewhere behind Serina. “Just like your brother.”

Asa went still. “That’s too bad,” he said quietly, knives in his voice. “With you here, I thought I’d get the chance to kill her myself.”