She closed her eyes. Her lips moved silently. When she opened them again, she was shaking. "I... there was a river. A blue door. Someone calling me... something with three syllables. I—" She stopped. Pressed her hand to her chest. "My heart is racing. That's not permitted without a medical waiver."
She stared at him. The silver cuff on her wrist began to beep—a low, warning tone. The House Monitors had heard the forbidden word: escape . live with a slave
Elias tried to treat her like a roommate. "Please" and "thank you." He asked about her hobbies. She blinked, confused. "I don't have hobbies, sir. I have duties." He made them both dinner. She stood watching him cook, her hands twitching, as if every instinct told her to take the spatula away. When he handed her a plate, she dropped to her knees. He nearly choked. She closed her eyes