Once everyone had been interviewed, it was time for dinner and another banquet back in the mess hall. As we ate, Master Ortega recited a psalm and gave a long sermon about the glory of humanity and the light and how we were all doing such a great job in fighting the good fight. It was a variation of what I’d heard with the Alchemists, even before re-education, and I wondered if I’d ever be free of groups of people trying to impose their beliefs on me. Fortunately, we were given some personal time afterward, and Sabrina came over to talk to us in a corner of the room. Other sponsors were meeting with their recruits, so nobody took it amiss.

“Hanging in there?” she asked quietly. We nodded, and she gave me a wry smile. “Ballsy move, going after Caleb.”

“I thought they’d appreciate the moxie,” I replied.

“Yes and no,” she said. “Taking on a challenge like that does score you some points, but there are those who just don’t like anyone breaking the rules.”

“Sounds familiar,” I said, thinking of the Alchemists.

“What’ll happen now?” asked Eddie.

Sabrina glanced around and shrugged. “Not much tonight. There are separate dorms for men and women, so everyone’ll go to bed soon. That’ll be your chance to look around, Sydney. I checked out the facilities earlier today, and there aren’t a lot of locked doors to deal with. You said those were a problem, right?”

“Right,” I agreed. Invisibility spells could hide me but wouldn’t do any good if someone saw a door opening by itself. “And security cameras.”

She shook her head. “There are none of those. Most security’s on the perimeter of the compound. They want to keep others out and all of us in. Moving around—if they can’t see you—shouldn’t be too difficult for you. The areas they want protected have armed guards, which hopefully you can slip past.”

“Hopefully.” It was amazing that we could discuss armed guards as minor obstacles. “Except I’m just not sure where I’m going.”

“I am,” she said. “I found out while scouting around. If you look out the window behind me, you’ll see a big gray building. That’s the women’s dorm. To its right is the men’s dorm, and to the right again is the building where the masters have their headquarters. That’s where you’ll find your answers.”

Eddie and I both glanced at the window indicated. He frowned. “I hate that this is all on you. I feel useless.”

I touched his arm reassuringly. “You’re my backup,” I said. “I feel better having you here.”

“And we may need your help when it’s time to get out,” added Sabrina.

I noted her use of “we.” “You’ll be coming with us?” I asked.