But the fact that Ettore is willing to betray Caelan at all… It means they have different views. That they’re different by nature. And maybe that proves some are more evil than others.

Not to mention there was concern about humans waking up in Victory. Is that why he thinks a war is coming? Does Ettore believe Victory is in danger of a full-blown rebellion?

There are thousands of humans in the Spring District alone. How many more live in the slums of the other districts? What will happen to them all if Prince Ettore convinces the Capital they’re a threat?

More importantly, if humans are waking up, does that mean they can still be saved?

“Thank you for today. It’s a good start—maybe even the first real start to taking down the Residents,” Ahmet says. When I don’t reply, he frowns. “What is it?”

“There was a human in the palace. A servant,” I try to explain.

Annika looks at me carefully. “It’s hard to see what they’ve done to our people. But whether they’re working in the market stalls or serving food at the palace, remember that there are humans in worse positions.” The memory of Famine and bones crunching beneath my feet makes me stiffen.

Ahmet nods beside her. “Our fight will free not just us, but every human that comes after us. Try not to think about the ones we’ve lost—think about the ones we’re giving a future to.”

The people like Mei.

I grind my teeth. “But this one was different. She wasn’t fully unaware. I think she could hear me.”

The shift in Theo’s posture doesn’t escape me, and when I look past Annika, I find his green eyes.

Annika tilts her head. “Nobody has ever come back from taking the pill before. It just isn’t possible.”

“But even Prince Ettore mentioned hearing rumors.” I look around the room. “Isn’t that worth looking into?”

Ahmet releases a heavy sigh. “We have looked into it. And we’ve lost too many people in the process.”

“We’ve had people go after loved ones before, thinking they could somehow reach them,” Annika explains. Theo’s face reddens nearby. “And it always ended the same way. With Legion Guards capturing them, torturing them, and eventually shipping them off to War. And their loved ones still remained unaware, in Victory.

“When we built the Colony, we had to be smarter; we couldn’t risk getting caught and losing the only home we’ve been able to build. Not over such a futile cause.”

“But how do you know that?” My fingers curl into my palms. “You’ve just admitted you haven’t tried to rescue anyone since you built the Colony. Maybe things have changed since then. Maybe whatever was in the pill got weaker over time.”