Katelina's dinner was the same as the previous night. The women stood near the wall, hands behind their back and eyes on the floor. Though the food was good, she had to force it down. It felt strange eating while the sentinels stood guard. She wanted to order them out, but Samael had as much as told her to get used to it.

She chewed and swallowed mechanically. Her mind wandered. She had a sudden vision of a beat up pan and scorched rice. It had been hot in the jungle. The ...