Ember Frost’s POV

A short while later, the cell door opened again.

Elder Anna was shoved inside.

At first, she looked fine. No injuries. No bruises. But once she started walking toward me, I noticed how drained she looked, like whatever they did to her had taken more out of her mind than her body.

I didn’t wait for the guards to settle. I crossed the space quickly and guided her away from the door, into the dimmer corner where we couldn’t be easily watched.

“Tell me what they ...