Free Resist by Sarah Crossan Page A

some hobby; it was the key to freedom—to survival. I am about to tell Vanya as much, when I sense Silas’s eyes on me. He shakes his head so slightly you’d have to be watching for a sign to even notice. I keep my mouth shut.
    Dorian sets down his knife and fork and wipes his hands on his pants. “We thought you died, Vanya,” he says.
    “Do I look dead?” she purrs.
    “No.”
    “So, tell me, was Petra still prohibiting relationships?” Silas nods. “What a drag!” She raises her glass in the air and laughs. “How will the human race endure if we do that?” She is chuckling, her mouth a wide grin, but there’s something quite serious in her tone.
    “Why did you leave us?” Song asks.
    “It’s complicated. Families always are,” she says. “And I’d tell you everything except I have no guarantee you’re not here as spies. There’s a chance The Grove is still standing and my sister has sent you here to steal my people. Or maybe you’re here to kill me.”
    If only , I think.
    Silas lowers his head. “I assure you, The Grove is gone,” he says slowly.
    “Well, I’d like to check. Can you do that for me, Maks?”
    Maks pours himself a drink and waves it at us, almost spilling it. “And what will we do with them in the meantime?”
    Vanya rubs her temples as though overcome by tiredness. Then she opens one eye and continues. “Start by giving them iron, immunity pills, and a boost of rockets.”
    “Rockets?” Song asks.
    “Oh, Petra would never have approved. Rockets will increase the number of red blood cells and reduce your need for so much oxygen,” Vanya explains.
    “EPOs,” Song says.
    Silas glances at me for less than a second, but it is long enough for Maks to notice. “They aren’t optional,” he says.
    Vanya stands up and steps away from the table. “Okay, take them to the clinic for testing,” she says, her back to us.
    “What are the tests for?” Silas asks.
    “Membership tests,” Maks says. He grins, but it is shallow. He stands up. “Ready?” he asks.
    We aren’t, but it isn’t a question.

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE
    HarperCollins Publishers
    ..................................................................
    13
    BEA
    Three pebbles, a bottle cap, a metal badge, and a hair clip. Each makes a hollow clink as I drop it back into the fountain. Six things, but I’m sure we’ve been here longer than six days. Did I forget to count off a day? Did I sleep through a couple?
    All Jazz wants to do is doze, and she’s stopped eating.
    I return to her side, where I kneel and touch her forehead. She’s burning up worse than ever, and I’ve no way to keep her temperature down apart from pressing cold clothes against her skin. I can’t bear to examine her leg. Last time I checked it was swelling. If the infection gets into her bloodstream, there’ll be nothing I can do. How long does that take to happen? A week? Longer? Or has it already happened?
    Her lips part. “Is Quinn back?” she asks.
    I stroke her cheek with the back of my fingers and keep my voice sunny. “Quinn’s always late, but he’ll be here. You concentrate on resting.” She stares up at me and twists her mouth—she’s a child, not a fool. “Can I do anything for you?” I ask.
    “Some of that medicine,” she says, and points to the bottle of alcohol I’ve been using to sedate her.
    “I have this,” I say, and break off a piece of a nutrition bar, which I try to press between her lips. She shakes her head, so I reach for the bottle. She takes a mouthful and grimaces. It doesn’t taste nice, but it’s keeping her calm.
    I look across at the fountain. If I missed a few days, maybe we’ll be rescued soon.
    Please God or Earth, or whatever else is out there, let us be rescued soon.
    Please .

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE
    HarperCollins Publishers
    ..................................................................
    14
    QUINN
    After sleeping for a few restless hours, we get up with the