Chapter 19 · Untitled Chapter

"Hold still," the Arbiter said.

The light touched Mika's forehead, and the world went white.

"Get off her!" Cade shouted. He was on his feet now, one hand braced against the wall, blood running from the corner of his mouth. He lunged, hit something invisible, and bounced off it hard enough to crack his shoulder against the floor. "Whatever you're doing, stop it!"

"She attacked you an hour ago." The Arbiter didn't look at him. "I'm cleaning up the damage she caused in her own head. You should be thanking me."

"Don't touch her."

"Too late."

Inside, it wasn't dark. That scared her more than the pain.

The place was bright, clean, and empty, like a hospital hallway after visiting hours. White shelves lined the walls. Memories sat on them in glass boxes, and one by one, they started sliding free.

A memory surfaced first.

Cade's hand closing around her wrist in the cafeteria during her first week. His thumb pressed against her pulse. His other hand shoved a sandwich toward her.

Eat before you pass out, idiot.

The memory flickered. Gray spread across the edges.

"No." Mika grabbed for it. Her hands were solid here, real enough to bleed.