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I expect the empty suite when I return, but it doesn’t prevent the disappointment at finding it.

I figured Daniel wouldn’t cooperate. I could still hope for a miracle.

The vacant room reminds me, yet again, that I’m not as central to his existence as he’s become to mine.

Still, I can’t afford to wallow in hurt feelings, and brace myself for the strenuous search that lay ahead.

Our pact to stay distant shattered the moment I became the enemy.

We need a new plan, and I need Daniel in order to construct it.

I have no idea where to begin the impossible search until, suddenly, I’m struck with a thought. Rushing to my bathroom, I pull open the vanity drawer and draw in a breath at the scrap of paper folded inside.

One word is scribbled with a hurried pen, but it’s all I need. I take off in the direction of the library and hope the ongoing counseling sessions will keep my path clear of most obstacles.

The palatial library had impressed me on my first visit, and my second proves no different.

Vaulted ceilings climb high into three stories of endless rows of books.

Sunlight shimmers through the intricate stained glass, casting eerie, colored spotlights over selected objects below.

If the décor of my room would satisfy royalty, the library could be a resting place for the gods themselves.

I almost forget my mission as I stare in wide-eyed wonder at the massive maze of literature and art.

“I’m not always in the dungeon when I’m missing.” The familiar voice at my ear rumbles through my chest, launching my pulse into an instinctive race.

Daniel takes my arm and leads me through a winding trail deep within the recesses of the bookcases. The stacks tower above us, beautiful and endless—too many volumes to ever consume in a lifetime. He has to urge me on several times, and finally pulls me into a small, secluded reading room.

Daniel turns on the lamp and smiles at the expression on my face. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? The most incredible part of this place, and yet it’s practically vacant most of the time.” He settles into the cushions and leans against the wall.

“So this is where you escape?”

“Whenever I can. I time my location to avoid as many people as possible. Sometimes I’m in the fitness room, the rest of the time here.” He looks away. “When I’m not down there.”

I swallow and rest my chin on my knees. A wave of questions sweeps through my head but none seem worth ruining this peaceful moment. I sigh when his face falls. There’s no peace when you read minds.

“You believe me now, don’t you,” he says, studying me. “They told you.”

“Clausen took over my private session today. What’s their plan, Daniel? What do they want from me?”

I don’t like his hesitation as he seems to evaluate me.

“They’re misguided,” he says finally. “They think they understand your ability, but they don’t. They think they understand mine, but they don’t.”

“What do you mean?”

He quiets again, and I wonder if he doesn’t trust me or thinks I’m too weak to handle the truth.

“Neither, I just don’t want to overwhelm you.”

A brief smile breaks on my lips. “I keep forgetting you read minds.”

“I know.” His amusement fades. “They want the information in my head. They’re always looking for easier ways to get at it. Torture is grueling and inefficient.”

My stomach lurches. So the visions are true.

“Why do you fight them? Why not give them what they want?”

His expression hardens as he zeroes in on the wall. “I’ve been here for eleven years, Rebecca. We’ve been down every path you can imagine, explored every dynamic possible. We didn’t get to this impasse because I’m a stubborn idiot.”

Stupid question. Logical, but stupid. I shift beside him and take his sleeved arm. He doesn’t pull away, and I want to feel his fingers tighten around mine. The warmth of his skin. Those thrilling sparks. It would be a sweet moment, but I can’t bear the thought of another vision.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to question you. I know I can’t imagine what this has been like for you.”

“No, you can’t.” He shifts away, and at first I think he’s angry. But my apology dissolves when he reaches for the collar of his shirt. He yanks it over his head, and my blood pounds as my mouth goes dry. I force myself to focus on the arm he holds out. “See these tattoos?”

I nod. “I’ve been meaning to ask about that. How do you get them? I mean, they don’t let you off campus, do they?”

“No, of course not. Tattoos are one of the few things we agree on so they bring Cheri on-site when she’s needed.”

“When she’s needed?”

“Look closely.”

I gasp.

“Tattoos don’t raise as many questions.” He traces the enormous scar along his arm. “Shoulder to wrist. I have an identical one on my leg. That one’s easier to hide.”

“What happened?” I ask in horror.

He stares at it before replacing his shirt.

“Clausen spared no expense insuring his most valuable asset.” My eyes widen at the implication, and he nods.

“No one knows except the most senior staff and the surgeon and nurses who did the procedure. Now you do as well. You’ll probably see visions of it at some point anyway. ”

“What is it?” I ask the terrible question before I consider the fact that he might answer it.

“I’m not completely sure about the technology.

Spotty facts are in my head from my encounters with them, but not the knowledge to interpret them fully.

The more I look into it, the less it makes sense with my understanding of current biotechnology, so I gave up for now.

The basic idea is that they’ve implanted something into me to prevent an escape.

There’s a barrier around the academy that I can’t cross.

I only tested it once. That’s all it took. ”

I shake my head. “Why would they do that?”

“I told you I was valuable.” He says with a smirk, but I can’t find the humor.

“What is it that they want? What if you just answered their questions?”

“You’re trying to understand something you can’t.

It’s not your fault.” He sighs and studies the opposite wall, thinking.

The colored hues of faded bruises on his face continue to remind me of his brutal existence, and I wish more than ever that I could see inside him like he sees me.

I don’t understand, but I want to. “Look, once again I’ve already told you more than I should have.

Every detail I give you is only putting you in more danger. ”

“You’re worried about me?”

“I’m sorry for being cryptic. I wasn’t planning on sharing all of that.

” He looks at me again. “You asked what their plan is, and you deserve to know that much. They want to use you to get inside my head. They think that if you can see glimpses of my past, you will eventually come across the information they want. They struggle to get it from me, so they’re hoping to find an easier path through you. ”

Horrified, I shake my head. “I would never do that! I would never help them.”

He clenches his jaw. “Yes, you would. Under the right circumstances.”

I flinch and draw in a ragged breath. “What do you want me to do? How do we get out of this?”

He meets my gaze. “Honestly? I’m not sure we can. This is why I don’t get close to people.”

I stare at him in disbelief. That’s it? After everything: “You’re just giving up? You’re just going to accept it?”

“I didn’t say that but—”

“We can’t just let them win!”

“And what do you propose?”

“I’ll lie to them.”

Daniel leans his head back against the wall, studying me. “I’ve had years to become a convincing liar. What about you? Besides, it won’t take them long to find out you only see events and memories, nothing deeper.”

“That’s not what they want?” I ask, and he shakes his head. “Please, Daniel. Tell me what you’re hiding.”

He’s at war with something in his head. I see it all over his face in the silence. “I can’t. I just…”

“Then tell me what you want me to do. I’ll do it.”

The tension inside him must be too much to contain now. The room pulses with it. “I don’t know. I don’t know what to do this time. I wish I could tell you everything, but I can’t. Just know that I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“What do you mean?”

He lets out his breath and shifts away. “You shouldn’t be caught up in this. I keep my distance for a reason. I can’t afford to give them a weapon.”

“Don’t blame yourself. I pursued you. You made a valiant attempt to push me away, but I wouldn’t let you. It’s not your fault.”

“But you didn’t know. I did.”

Even the strongest soul can’t survive a lifetime completely alone. Especially not in this nightmare. His weak smile tugs at me as he reads my thought meant for him.

“Why are they so rough with you?” I ask, hoping for more answers now that he’s finally willing to share. “Why risk damaging such a valuable asset?”

He settles back into wry rebellion. “I wish I had a brilliant explanation, but it’s just conditioning, plain and simple. It’s a power struggle. They treat me like a prisoner so I become one. Plus, it fits the narrative.”

“Is that why they make you go to class? It seems absurd to me.”

He nods. “Same idea. It’s part of the charade. It’s a lot easier for all of us if everyone thinks I’m some delinquent. Helps deflect the masses. Everyone’s afraid of me so they stay away. I’m fine with that.”

“So they really don’t care that you hide.”

“Oh, they care. They don’t like not knowing where I am at every moment of the day.”

“Do you ever worry that they might lock you downstairs once and for all?”

His expression darkens and he studies the floor.

“They tried that too. I told you, eleven years. We’ve been through it all.

” I shudder at the thought. “Anyway, that was a while ago. They learned that didn’t work either.

Compliance is much more efficient. We’ve got ourselves into a rhythm now.

They’re starting to let down their guard. ”

“Until I came along, and they got a new secret weapon.”