And with that, he drags me out of Smith’s room, slamming the door shut behind us.

I’m so furious that it takes me until we’re approaching the door to my own room before I can think of anything to say.

“You can’t stop me from—”

“I know,” he interrupts. “I know you’ll do anything, even risk killing yourself, to get answers. And I won’t let that happen. So, this was for your own good—trust me on that.”

I want to stomp my foot like a child. “Kael, we were right there. That first memory—I could feel it. We were about to learn everything, have every question answered. You have to let me go back there.”

“No, what I have to do is keep you alive. We can still get your answers another way.”

“How?” I demand.

“By finding your brother.”

That pulls me up short. “Riley? We’re going to look for him?”

Kael’s face changes. I can’t read his expression, but then it softens as he says, “We already are. All our resources are focused on the Speaker group that took him away. We’ll find him—I promise. And when we do, we’ll get you your answers.”

“But that memory—the one with Falon—”

“Riley only said that he thought you were dead, right? Well, unlike you, he might not have forgotten the rest, so hopefully he can fill in the blanks of that particular memory.” He places his hand over my mouth when I open it to argue. “And if he can’t, then, and only then, will I consider letting you endanger your life with Smith again. Agreed?”

I’m not happy, but it’s a compromise. And after seeing the death of his mother, after seeing the tears on his face as he begged her not to leave him, I can understand why he’s so worried about losing someone else important to him. So I can give him this. At least for now.

“Fine. But if Riley doesn’t know the answers—”

“What’d I just say?”

Apparently he’s not in the mood for repetition, so I just nod my acceptance as he opens the door to my room.

“Promise me you’ll try to get some sleep?”

I soften at the look of concern in his eyes, caring enough about his peace of mind to say, “I promise.”

And before he can see the lie for what it is, I close the door between us and stumble through the dark of Cami’s and my bedroom. My head is still aching enough that I don’t bother taking off my boots or my hoodie, instead lying down and covering my face with my arm, hoping that a few moments of stillness will bring me some respite.