Aknock snaps me awake so violently that my whole body jerks.
For a disoriented second, I'm sure I'm back in the ritual house, under the Order's watch, surrounded by brothers and sisters.
I jolt up and my head spins. I look around the room, panic rising and falling in a slow, dizzy wave. My limbs feel heavy, like my dreams tried to drag me somewhere I refused to go.
I see a bed and a window.
Not the compound or the woods.
Callum's house.
I scramble to my feet, my legs unsteady, and the door unlocks and swings open.
Callum steps inside first, his sleeves rolled to his elbows, tie loosened around his neck. He looks exhausted, shadows under his eyes, jaw tight, hair slightly disheveled. Behind him, a guard carries a silver tray covered with a dome.
Callum gestures toward the nightstand without looking at the guard. "Leave it there."
The guard sets the tray down, nods once, and exits, shutting the door behind him.
I stay frozen, waiting.
Callum walks over to the nightstand and lifts the silver dome.
Steam rises from the plate beneath. It's a steak, roasted potatoes, vegetables.
The smell hits me and my stomach cramps. I press a hand against my abdomen, swallowing hard.
It's a real meal.
A warm one.
A plate someone cooked intentionally, not a ration tossed at me. Not cold porridge in a metal bowl. Not the scraps leftover after men ate first.
Callum glances at me. "Eat."
I stare at the food. My mouth waters, saliva pooling under my tongue.
"What do you want for it?" I ask.
His brow furrows. "What?"
"The food." My voice cracks. "What do you want for it?"
"I want you alive so you can answer my questions. Eat."
I don't move. Is this a trick? Can I trust him? Maybe it's poisoned.
"I'm not hungry," I say, lying.
He steps back from the nightstand, gesturing toward the tray and ignoring me. "Now."
I edge toward the nightstand, my eyes darting between him and the door. My fingers brush the fork. I pick it up, the metal cold against my skin.
I cut into the steak. Juice pools on the plate. The scent makes my head spin.
I take a bite.
The flavor explodes on my tongue and I chew slowly, forcing myself to swallow.
