I placed the book in her outstretched hand and let out a breath. It was finished. There, in her grip, she had it all. My life, the lives of my peers, Hosea and the village. If information was currency, I was now bankrupt.

If someone had told me yesterday that, today, I would give up everything in exchange for medicine for the village, I would have laughed.

Now, as I watched her read, I knew something inside me had changed. For Sky and Fount, I would give everything ten times over. I bit my lip, tasting blood. Would it be enough? I had added more to the book about Hosea and the Director. They were of special interest to her.

Then, for extra credit, I’d added information she hadn’t asked for. Details about Saxon and Rowan. I often overheard them discussing Jones. Old Teacher Purnell gossiped when she crafted late at night. With only me for company, she let many treasonous morsels slip. I’d tattled every disloyal word. Covington’s boyfriend, Jetson’s political leanings, Hannibal’s newspaper scheme. It was all there for Jones’ consumption.

Faces spiraled around me accusingly. Traitor, they whispered.

My throat clenched. It was true. I was a rat. But I held my shoulders stiff beneath their disdain. I forced my head high. All that mattered was gaining her trust and using it to save my family. I pictured them in the field, even now, bringing in the quota. Their brightly colored scarves every color of the Kongo: burgundy, spice, indigo, teal, coconut, grape—and brown.

Finally, Jones set the book on her desk. “You mentioned time-sensitive information, Arika.”

“Yes.” I cleared my throat. This was my opportunity. “It’s come to my attention that the fever I wrote about is spreading out of control. It’s killed hundreds of workers, and many more are sick. If we don’t intervene and tell the Assembly, the fever will decimate the workforce. The Seed planted now will die, and all of America will suffer.”

“Your point, girl?” Her voice was colder than I expected.

“I—I want to make a bargain, I’ll give you my service and allegiance. With my marks, I’m an excellent candidate for the open Senator seat in the Assembly. I’ll have the power to cast any vote you like. I can even gather votes—get more information. I’ll do anything you want.”

She turned her back to me, facing the small window in her office. Through it, the morning sun grew hotter every minute. “And what do you want in return in this—bargain?” she asked.

I plowed forth. “I need you to petition the Assembly. I need medicine from the North. Decongestants and antibiotics.”