“Like to reconsider my previous offer?” Trent said, addressing me. He had his untasted shot of whiskey in his fingers. I wasn’t sure, but I thought they were trembling. He considered the drink for a moment, then tossed it back with a smooth motion. The glass was set gently down. “The island is out,” he said. “Having you closer would be prudent. The way you infiltrated my compound was impressive. I think I could persuade Quen to take you on. He laughed himself breathless watching you duct-tape Mr. Percy in his trunk, then almost murdered you after I told him you had broken into my front office.”

Shock blanked my mind. I couldn’t say anything. Faris was dead on the floor, and Trent was asking me to work for him?

“But Faris was quite struck with your stirring,” he continued. “Deciphering pre-Turn gene-splicing techniques can’t be much harder than stirring a complex spell. If you don’t want to explore your limits in the physical arena, you could go toward the mental. Such a mix of skills you have, Ms. Morgan. It makes you curiously valuable.”

I sank back on my haunches, dumbfounded.

“You see, Ms. Morgan,” he was saying. “I’m not a bad man. I offer all my employees a fair situation, a chance for advancement, the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

“Opportunity? Chance for advancement?” I sputtered, not caring that he couldn’t understand me. “Who do you think you are, Kalamack? God? You can go Turn yourself.”

“I think I got the gist of that.” He gave me a quick smile. “If nothing else, I’ve taught you to be honest.” He shifted his chair closer to his desk. “I’m going to break you, Morgan, until you will do anything to get out of that cage. I do hope it takes a while. Jon took nearly fifteen years. Not as a rat, but a slave all the same. I imagine you will break a lot faster.”

“Damn you, Trent,” I said, seething.

“Don’t be crass.” Trent picked up his pen. “I’m sure your moral fiber is as strong as if not stronger than Jon’s. But he didn’t have rats trying to rip him apart. I had the luxury of time with Jon. I went slowly, and I wasn’t as good then.” Trent’s eyes went distant in thought. “Even so, he never knew I was breaking him. Most don’t. He still doesn’t. And if you suggested it, he would kill you.”

Trent’s distant gaze cleared. “I quite like having all the cards faceup on the table. It adds to the satisfaction, don’t you think? Not having to be delicate about it. Both of us knowing what’s going on. And if you don’t survive, it’s no great loss. I haven’t invested that much in you. A wire cage? Food chips? Wood shavings?”

The feeling of being in a cage crashed over me. Trapped. “Let me out!” I shouted, pulling at the mesh of my cell. “Let me out, Trent!”

There was a knock on the doorframe and I spun. Jonathan entered, sidestepping Faris. “The medical team is parking their van. They can get rid of Faris. The I.S. wants a statement, nothing more.” His eyes flicked disparagingly at me. “What’s wrong with your witch?”