I’m rolled onto a stretcher and carried from the cage. I catch pieces of conversation. ‘Just let me shift with her.’ Daisy’s voice, tight and angry. ‘No.’ Definitely Daniel. ‘But she’ll take weeks to heal from these injuries. I don’t understand why you’re being so—’ ‘Daisy, go to your quarters and stay there until you’re summoned.’ If Daisy argues with him, I miss it, because I pass out again. When I next come to, I smell antiseptic. My body feels cased in cement and the skin on my neck stings like a bastard. Even through closed eyes I can tell the room is brightly lit. ‘I’ll guard her.’ ‘No, Taya, you go.’ Daniel’s voice is close. ‘Tell the Council I’ll be there shortly.’ ‘But there are no cameras in here. What if—’ ‘Gabriella isn’t going anywhere.’ ‘But Daisy—’ ‘Won’t disobey an order.’ Any further exchange is silent. The air beside me stirs. Taya is gone. The only sound now is the faint buzzing of a fluorescent light.
