She was equally horrified by herself. She didn’t blame Pine. He’d seen a potential threat and he’d taken care of it. She couldn’t be upset with him for that. But she should feel more regret than she did. Shouldn’t she?

Still lost in thought, Caledonia filled her plate until the surface disappeared. With each new addition, she felt her hunger taking over, urging her to add more of everything—grains, vegetables, shredded meat, a scoop of gravy. She topped it off with an additional slice of bread, earning a laugh from the cook behind the buffet. He was an old man, far older than any Bullet she’d encountered on the ocean, with a face that wrinkled and cracked so much around scars that it became a puzzle.

“Must’ve hit on hard seas this moon,” he said. Caledonia nearly smiled in return when he added, “The Father provides.”

She felt her expression hardening, her stomach knotting. Suddenly, the food on her plate represented so much more than the temporary end of her hunger. It represented Aric’s complete control. Beyond Silt, Aric controlled people by withholding something that should be accessible to everyone. He’d somehow managed to figure out how to clean the soil to grow food and then kept that secret to himself.

How could she enjoy anything that came from him?

“The Father provides,” a voice said from behind. Then a hand pressed her elbow and pushed her firmly forward.

She pulled away, irritation replacing every other emotion in a flash. “I don’t need rescuing.”

“Then move,” Pine responded quietly.

They spotted Sledge and joined the Blades at a table on the outskirts of the room. As she slid into her seat, Caledonia couldn’t stop thinking that just beyond these walls, the body of a Bullet was stashed in an alley. The instant it was discovered, they’d be in even greater danger than before.

“Eat,” Pine grumbled, climbing into a seat next to hers.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” she snapped, digging a fork into her fish. All around the room, the eyes of other Bullets were trained on them. “They’re watching us.”

“Of course they are. It’s because we’re the newest clip in town. Don’t watch them back,” Pine instructed. “Let it play out.”

Teasing scents of salt and herbs and butter rose toward her, and one bite was all it took to reignite her hunger. The first forkful was almost overwhelming, and for a brief second she was arrested by guilt. Her girls were certainly not having a feast such as this, and it felt like a betrayal to enjoy it. But they needed her strong if she was going to free them. And food, as Aric had so rightly determined, was strength.

“And who is this?” a voice called.