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I roll over, facing her. “What did you say?”

“Imogene,” she rests the tray on the desk and pulls out the chair. “I know it is difficult to be away from the people you considered your friends—”

“They’re my family.”

“Of course.” Her voice is calm, annoyingly soothing, like one of the bulls down in the pasture you don’t want to spook. “This family… it isn’t real. The people you think you care for; they are either manipulating you or have been manipulated themselves.”

“I know what’s real, Camille. And what I feel for those men isn't manipulation.”

Her lips make a tight, thin, line. “You were arranged to marry Rex, correct?”

“Yes but—”

“A decision made by Anex—not on your own?”

“That’s not—”

“What itisn’tis love. Taking away your freedom to choose. Destroying your autonomy. All of that is manipulation and coercion. It’s brainwashing and look how much danger it put you in!”

I swing my legs over the side of the bed, planting my feet on the floor for the first time all day. Swaying, dizzy from a headrush and low blood sugar, I grip the headboard. “Those men are the ones that opened my eyes to the truth of Serendee and Anex’s devious ways. They brought me into the light—showed me what existed outside those walls. Don’t you dare question their motives.”

“They hurt you, Imogene!” Her eyes dart to my wrists. “I’ve seen the scars.” She chokes on her next words. “I’ve seen your body. Love doesn’t look like that.”

I yank the shirt sleeve down. “My body is none of your business, but if you need to know the truth, I did that to myself. They… they saved me from him, and that’s what made him turn on me—onus.”

Her eyes meet mine, searching for something, then soften. “He felt threatened by you.”

I nod. “Yes. He split us apart. Locked me and Rex away. Banished Elon and Levi. And I don’t even know where Silas is.” I inhale, holding back a sob. “I’m so scared for him.”

Camille’s hand grabs mine and I’m too tired to fight back. “I know, but you’re safe now. I’m here for you.”

I yank my hand back. “Are you? Because you left before. They didn’t.”

She recoils, stunned, like she’s been slapped. Good. “I know I fucked up. Big time. Things were—”

“I know how they were. That’s what I’m saying. Anex is the devil—he forces us into impossible decisions.Youhad to leave. I believe that. But if I’m not going to judge you then you need to realize that you can’t judge us. Rex is not his father. Nor are the others. I love them. Ineedthem, and until they’re back with me, you and I have nothing to talk about.”

A cold silence settles between us. I’ve been manipulated my whole life and I’m not going to let it happen again.

Camille sighs and says, “I’ll talk to Agent McNair about Levi and Elon, tell them their part in helping me infiltrate the compound. But Rex… I’m not sure what I can do. He’s Timothy’s son—”

“And as much of a victim as any of us.” I lift my chin. “He’s also Beatrice’s son. She was your best friend, wasn’t she?”

She hesitates, her forehead creased like she’s deep in thought. Finally, she says, “I’ll do what I can for those boys—but if I do, you have to promise that you’ll eat something.” She slides the tray closer. “Just get your strength back.”

I’d like to argue, but I’m exhausted, and I know she’s right. Starving myself isn’t helping anyone. I need to be strong for them.

“What can you do?” I ask, lifting the spoon.

“Maybe more than I realized.”

The bed sinks next to me, familiar warmth sliding under the covers and against my skin. I sink into the dream, holding onto it like threads of gossamer. A hand slides across my stomach and warmth tickles the back of my neck. Silas always makes me feel safe. Loved.

“I’ve missed you,” I tell him. Pressing against the curve of his body.

“I missed you, too. So much.” It’s the feel of a kiss on my neck, warm, then cool, that forces the thread to part. I’m awake, in the room at Camille’s. Except I’m not alone—the body behind me is very real. I turn and find Silas curled into me.

“Oh my God.” It’s not the first time this week I’d been confused about reality. “This isn’t a dream?”