North woke abruptly, at first uncertain what had roused her. It took a moment, and she didn’t identify until the sound came again—the sound of raised voices, though it was difficult to tell if it was from anger or excitement. Her first thought was the Allises were having an argument, and she decided to take a shower to avoid overhearing anything that might embarrass them later. It was only as she got out of bed that she realized she was hearing more than two voices.

Curiosity peaked, she changed her mind about the shower and crept closer to the door instead. It felt a little wrong to eavesdrop, but she was certain she was the topic of discussion. She was also sure that if she walked out and tried to join the conversation, they would stifle themselves. Subterfuge was the only way to hear.

When she reached the door, she spent almost a minute opening it, turning the knob just so and easing the door open a scant millimeter at a time to ensure nothing squeaked. When it was finally open, she breathed a sigh of relief and leaned against the doorjamb, angling her head so that her right ear was facing outward and she could hear.

At least she could hear well enough to make out bits and pieces. With a sigh, she eased the door wider and slipped out into the hall, leaving the bedroom door open in case she had to make a run for it back to the room. The voices appeared to be coming from downstairs, so she scooted across the wooden landing on her hands and knees and moved closer to the rail. From here, she could hear everything.

“But why does it have to be so soon?” asked Jim.

A chill went down North’s body when she recognized the voice of Pytor Douglas. “We’ve been waiting almost twenty-one years, Jim. If Campbell hadn’t derailed our plans, she would have begun training almost from birth.”

“But she would have been with us during most of that process, at least for the first few years. We just got her back.” There was a hint of a whine in Jim’s tone.

“We’ve lost so much time, and we can’t afford to waste any more. You know she’s the pinnacle of the program, and our best chance of success. We just haven’t found the right combination with the others, but I’m optimistic she’s the one.”

“What if she doesn’t want to go with you? What if she wants to stay here with us for a bit longer and get to know her family?”

She gasped and clapped a hand over her mouth to hold in the sound when there was a harsh crack in the air, like flesh against flesh.

“There are ways to ensure compliance all around, Jim. Have you forgotten our goals? I thought you and Carol were on board with our plan, and what we’re trying to do here, but you seem to be more concerned about the girl than our group.”

“Of course he isn’t,” broke in Carol, sounding nervous. “It’s just a lot for us to take in, Pytor. We half-believed we’d never see her again, and then there she was. And now you’re telling us that her brain lit up all the scans, and you think she’ll achieve what the others haven’t...” She trailed off with a nervous laugh. “We’re just processing it all.”

“Well process faster, because she’s going into training this weekend, whether you like it or not.” His voice was harsh, but sounded calmer when he spoke again a moment later. “I’m not unfeeling, Jim, but we’re beyond our timeline, and we need her activated as quickly as possible. Enjoy the next few days with her, but remember she belongs to the group, not you. Don’t get your loyalties conflicted, because you’ll lose.”

North held her breath as she waited to see what the man who was supposedly her father, at least biologically, would say in return.

“Of course, Pytor. My first loyalty is to the group, and you must take her this weekend then.”

“I’ll take her to the mall and buy her some new outfits for her stay. We’ll have such a good time, and it won’t be long before we get to see her again. Right, Pytor?”

“That depends on Nara. If she’s cooperative and learns quickly, she’ll be back to you in no time, except for the occasions when we need her. If we have to break her first, the process could take a while, and she might not be returned to you the exact person she left.” He sounded unemotional about the process, whatever it was.

“Oh, okay.” Carol sounded nonplussed for a moment and then her tone brightened almost too much when she spoke again. “I guess I should enjoy our shopping trip then, since I might not have the chance again.”

“It’s about time for her pill. You don’t want her waking up and overhearing something she shouldn’t.” Pytor said matter-of-factly.

North didn’t wait to hear Carol and Jim’s response. She crab-walked backward across the floor of the landing to her room, not getting to her feet until she was behind the door and closed it as carefully and silently as possible. As she hurried to the bed, the sound of footfalls on the stairs made her stomach clench, and she was certain she wouldn’t make it back in time to get under the covers and arrange herself to appear to be sleeping before her door opened.

Fear was a great motivator, and she moved faster than she would have imagined possible, sliding under the covers and laying her head on the pillow just as the doorknob rattled slightly. Somehow, she was able to compose her breath enough to sound calm and regulated. The door opened a moment later, and the light clicked on.

“North?” asked Carol softly. “Are you awake, sweetheart?”

The endearment made her skin crawl, but she struggled to keep her repulsion out of her expression as she turned over slowly and blinked her eyes as though they weighed a thousand pounds each. “Is that you, Carol?”

“It is. I have your other pill.”

She feigned a yawn. “I don’t think I need it. I’m feeling much calmer now, and I’m still pretty sleepy.”

“We must listen to the doctor. Take your last pill like a good girl, and maybe tomorrow we could—”

She yawned again, though this one was authentic. “I was hoping you might be able to take me shopping tomorrow, Carol. I have no clothes with me besides the one outfit.” It was imperative to get to the mall, which seemed to be her only option to escape whatever was going on with the Allises and the mysterious doctor. If her mother thought she was an enthusiastic participant, she might drop her guard and give North an opportunity to slip away.

“Why, of course we can. I was just about to suggest that very thing. I’ll bring you a breakfast tray in the morning, and then we’ll head out for a day of shopping.” She trailed into silence for a moment, reaching forward to squeeze North’s hand. When she spoke, she sounded choked up. “I thought I’d never have an opportunity for such a thing with you. I was sure you were gone forever, and you don’t know what it means to me to have you back.”

North managed a wan smile as she silently marveled at the woman’s capacity for deception. She took the pill Carol extended and popped it in the side of her mouth as she had done before. The woman handed her a glass of water from the nightstand, and she made a production of swallowing, though the bitter pill was still dissolving against her cheek.

“We’re going to have such fun. I’ve missed you.” Carol took the glass of water to return to the nightstand and paused long enough to press a kiss to North’s forehead before leaving the room.

As soon as she was gone, North spat out the pill in a tissue from the box on the nightstand. She balled it up into a tiny piece of garbage that she clutched in her hand until she could make it to the bathroom. She repeated the same process as earlier, including brushing her teeth, all while her mind whirled.

Carol had an agenda, but the strangest thing was, she also seemed to be sincere that she had missed North and had missed out on her life. North was unexpectedly sorry for her, but that made her no less afraid than she had been moments before upon overhearing their conversation with the doctor.

She had no clue what was going on, or why they were targeting her, but it was obvious Dr. Douglas had plans for her, and her parents were fully on board with them. She had to escape, and she couldn’t let sentiment or guilt prevent her from doing so. At the first opportunity, she had to run away.