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She nods. "It's closed."

"What happens?"

"Nothing."

I wait. Then her fingers tighten around mine and I feel her shift against me.

"The door is opening."

I keep my own voice low and steady. "Does someone come in?"

"I don't know."

"Take your time."

She closes her eyes harder, and I watch her face change as the memory takes hold. Fear moves across her features, followed by confusion.

"The door never opened. They only pushed the trays through the slot."

"That's right."

"But now it's open."

Her voice trembles.

"Someone is standing there."

"Can you see who?" Billy? Liam? Amber? I hold back from asking too much, too fast.

"No. It's too dark."

"That's okay,” I assure her, pressing a kiss to the shell of her ear. “What do they do?"

"They tell me to stand." The words come faster now. "I can't. I'm weak. My legs hurt. I haven't eaten enough. They tell me again."

My hand moves slowly over her forearm.

"Then what?"

"They take off the restraints." She gasps, and her entire body jerks against mine.

I tighten my arm around her waist. "Stay with me, Ari.”

She nods and exhales. "They're taking me out."

“How many?”

“Two.”

She takes a shaky breath. "They wash me."

I frown.

"What?"

"They wash me." The confusion in her voice mirrors my own. “I’m stripped down. The tub is metal and the water is cold.” She shivers against me, and I try not to let the anger of knowing these traitors saw her like that take over. “My skin burns from the chains around my wrists. The soap smells weird, and I rush, ready to get out.”

“Once I’m clean they dry me off, patting me down with towels.” Her nose wrinkles. “There’s oil and incense.”