XANIYAH woke with a violent jolt, gasping as if someone had plunged her into icy water. Her stomach twisted so sharply she barely made it to the small wooden basin before she retched. However, nothing came out, just the bitter, sour burn of her breath. Her hands trembled uncontrollably. Her throat blocked shut. No matter how hard she tried, no sound escaped her.

When she finally lifted her head, the room seemed too bright. The sunlight surging through the curtain felt like claws, causing her ...