Page 40 of Dark Night of the Soul

So, he’d taken him out to talk to me.

“They have her,” I said.

“I know.” He gave a nod. “Sebastian took her to the new wing.”

That got my attention. “What new wing?”

“Not sure the function yet. I’m still trying to find out. I don’t have access. I don’t have much time. I’ll do what I can for both of you. They think you’re isolated,” he said. “You’re not.”

“You made contact?”

He nodded. Once. Sharp. “I reminded them why they went quiet in the first place. They know you’re here and you’re alive.”

He was talking about the Quiet Watch. Men who had vanished into shadow. Men who only surfaced when the world was already on fire.

“They can’t move yet,” I said.

“No,” he agreed. “Too many eyes. But when the time comes… they’ll be ready. And so will I.”

He met my gaze now. “I hope you’re ready for a war.”

“I’ve been ready. If anything happens to her—”

“I’ll find a way,” he added. “I always do.”

The door creaked.

Silas stepped back, already fading into the role he wore best.

“Hold,” he said. “I’ll be back when the time is right.”

The door opened wider. The lock slid home and Silas was gone. I was alone again with the certainty that the next door to open would not be kind.

Chapter 15 | Anna

I was hustled down a corridor from the doctor’s office into another wing. This was the hospital wing. Newly built. Fresh paint. Shiny equipment ready to be used for the first time. Like this had been planned for far too long and they were waiting to get their hands on someone—me.

Dr. Vormund walked beside me, saying nothing. Another guard behind us. One to my left. One in front of me.

Even if I wanted to make an escape attempt, I couldn’t. I was outnumbered. I was defenseless. My dream walking powers were useless here.

Unless I could use them to find Kincade. But then if he was captured, too, it wouldn’t do any good, either.

He led me to a functional room with an examination table in the center covered with paper. A stool next to that. A counter with a sink for handwashing and all the usual items necessary for a physical exam lined up with precision.

I felt sick.

On the exam table, a perfectly folded hospital gown.

“I’ll give you a moment to change,” he said at the door as if I’d already accepted.

“No,” I said.

He halted in the doorway, turned back to me with an unreadable expression. “It’s not an option.”

Cold fear pooled in the pit of my stomach.

“I won’t do it,” I said, my hands in fists.