“Ask them. Ask them about Blue. See if you think your family is safe in the hands of your government.”

She sighed. She went to the door, her hand pausing on the handle. “You know I love you, even if you hate me right now. But I can’t put family before country.”

When he didn’t respond, she quietly walked out. A series of bolts sealed behind her.

The anger burned, and in it, he sensed Lily immediately. He felt the rise in her as well.

He took a deep breath and blew out through his nose, repeating it over and over. He closed his eyes.

William?

In a heartbeat, he was with her. She sat on the edge of a bed, clutching a large pink stuffed hippo. On the walls were posters of unicorns and teddy bears. A small table beside her bed was covered in LEGOs. Another custom-made prison.

Lily. I’m here.

Come get me.

I’m trying, honey. But I have to figure out how.

I’m scared.

I know. But just stay calm.

Please come get me.

I’ll come for you, I promise, as soon as I can.

He hated to make a vow he might not be able to keep, and hated even more to leave her.

As soon as he broke the connection, he attempted another.

Jane was pacing in a room similar to his, but obviously much less prepared. They didn’t know enough about her to try to personalize her cell.

Jane.

She flinched, looking around. Even with her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, wearing the same scrubs for God knows how long, William couldn’t help but notice what he first thought when he saw her: Dr. Spencer was a beautiful woman.

Jane, it’s William. I’m here.

“What?” she almost cried out.

Listen, try to talk to me just by thinking. They’re watching us every second, I’m sure of it. Please. Just try.

She opened her mouth to speak.

Just think. Try—

William?

Yes. I’m here.

What is going on? My God, where are we?

I don’t know. I’m in a room just like yours. The agents found us. The same agents I told you about before. They somehow got to you before I could. I don’t know how. They want to keep us isolated.

They can’t do that. We haven’t done anything wrong.…

He sensed the apprehension as soon as she said the words. They’d spoken for hours at the abandoned home in New Orleans. She’d fought every claim he made, about the disappearance she didn’t remember to what she was capable of doing with the storms.