She looks to me. “Hilde is a friend of ours who… feels similarly to you. She’s devoted her life to helping those suffering in the provincial world. Last I heard, she was at a refugee camp with an outbreak of—” She turns to Michael and asks, “Malaria?”

“Cholera, I think,” he says with a sigh.

“Why aren’t more Makers doing what she’s doing?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.

“Well, her methods aren’t very practical—” Kaylie starts.

“She’s foolish and reckless,” Michael interjects.

“That’s not how I would put it,” Kaylie says.

“She was perfectly fine, then one day went completely out of tune.” He shakes his head. “But I do think it could be good for you to meet her, to help you understand.” He looks pained. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements.”

“I’ll gather some supplies to send with you,” Kaylie says, heading toward the door.

When the door closes behind her, Michael says, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have raised my voice.” When I say nothing, he steps closer. “Ada, I don’t want to fight with you.”

I don’t want to fight with him either, with this man who has always felt like an ally, who had faith in me even when I didn’t have faith in myself. But I’ve built him up in my head as something he’s not. He may be handsome and generous and kind, but he’s no paradigm of idealism. He’s just as hypocritical as everyone else here. And he’s definitely not on my side.

I meet his eyes. “This is not a fight, Michael. This is me getting a reality check. You’ve spent so much time trying to prove to me how special, how superior the Makers are for their dedication to making a difference. But that idealism is nothing if it ignores the majority of the world.”

“Ada, my entire job as liaison is to make inroads to eventual change in our relationship with the provincial world. I’m not ignoring anyone. Improving this situation is what I’ve dedicated my life to.”

“Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better,” I respond. Michael flinches. I shouldn’t let my true feelings show like this. I need him to trust me. But as usual, Michael draws the raw truth from me, even as I lie my ass off to everyone else. “You may have a little more respect for my people than other Makers. You may be more willing to bring in strays to join you in keeping your secrets. But that’s not real change.”

“It’s not up to me, Ada.” He sounds tired, resigned. “I’m limited by the permission of the Council—”