~ SASHA ~

"What does she say?

" a voice cried from nearer the cave mouth.

All eyes turned from Vayl to Sasha, who stood in the spotlight, stunned.

"I… I don't know what you're talking about.

"

"We aren't ignorant to the human schemes,

" Vayl said tightly.

"They farm us like cattle. But their efforts have slowed greatly in the past few months. So… do they plan to slaughter us? Or do you bring hope, Sasha?

"

"Hope? I mean, yes, I bring hope, but I'm by no means certain—

"

"Are you carrying Zev's pup?

" someone else called.

"I… I don't think so. Not yet.

"

A murmur rippled through the gathered females and Sasha shook her head.

"I'm sorry, I'm missing something. You said something about a… a prophecy? And blood? I don't understand—

"

Vayl's eyes narrowed and she looked over her shoulder at the females that had stayed close when they were out in front of Nick and who all remained just behind her now. The women nodded.

"We have made the decision to take a risk on you, Sasha-don,

" Vayl said, as if the words were bitter on her tongue.

"Because we are dying. Without help, we will not survive many more winters.

"

Sasha gaped at all of them. They looked far healthier than the females she'd seen in the building. And yet there was an air of being… threadbare here, she realized. These women were walking an edge. She was almost afraid to ask what they thought would take their lives. Because these women didn't look as if their bodies were failing.

"I spoke the truth when I said I want to help,

" Sasha said.

"I'm here to try and figure out a way to… to get you all back to Thana. But I don't know anything about prophecies, or… I'm just here because I saw an opportunity and I took it. The males have wanted you back since the day you were taken. Everything they've done up to this point has been an attempt to win you back from… from here. When Zev took me there, he didn't know all of you had been taken. He'd only seen the females back at the complex—the ones that they made, and the… the ones they brought in for breeding. He hadn't realized all of you were here. He didn't know… when we both found out… it's our goal to get you out of here and safe, and back to the males. None one wants you here.

"

"Except humans. Like you.

" Vayl said.

Sasha shook her head.

"That's not a human thing, that's a… these men are sick. They want things, plan things a normal human would call inhumane. They aren't examples of the best of us. They're examples of the worst.

"

"They are the only humans we've met.

"

Discussion sparked, back and forth, until Sasha raised her hands and pleaded with them to listen.

"I don't know how much time I have. I don't to risk Nick getting nervous and coming in here looking for me. Please. The only way I can help is to gather as much information from you as possible. Are there any places you know that their security is loose? Any places you could breach the fence? Are there any times they leave you completely unattended? Any hints you have of ways you might get out of here with some help from the outside?

"

But she met only blank stares, and shaking heads.

"They are very strong, Sasha-don,

" one of the women behind Vayl said after a moment.

"The few who have attempted to escape alone have all died, or been brought back to us with their minds broken. We stopped trying after the first year.

"

"The fence is always in clear space, so we can't climb trees or the land to try to leap it.

"

"What about the owls?

" Sasha asked.

"You can't fly? It doesn't seem very high.

"

There was a high wail in the crowd, and a murmur that ran through the females on every side. Vayl's face went flat.

"Our Owl sisters have been… clipped. Their wings cannot carry them. They cannot fly.

"

Sasha felt sick. She almost asked what had been done to those poor women, but she was a coward, afraid she'd vomit in front of them like she had with Nick the night before.

"I'm… I'm so sorry,

" she whispered, praying they could all hear her anyway.

"I'm working, I promise. Doing everything I can to negotiate your freedom. They're changing their focus. They haven't had any luck breeding you, so they're looking for another solution. I'm working to convince them that having you back in Thana will work best for… for everything they're trying to achieve—

"

There was a sharp intake of breath and Sasha stopped.

Vayl bristled.

"You do seek to help them?

"

"No!

" Sasha hurried to clarify.

"No, my goal is to keep them happy, to convince them I'm not a threat. That we're working together. And I will aid them in the ways they're asking for right now, because it won't harm anyone else. But ultimately… ultimately our goal is for the independence of the Chimera. We're just… I'm not certain yet how… You have to believe me, this opportunity came unexpectedly. I had to take it or burn that bridge with the humans completely. I took it. I'm certain I can do something. And what I learn while I'm here… I will get you out of here. I know I will. I'm just not sure yet how.

"

It was mostly true. She had an idea, but it was true that she wasn't sure it would work. And she didn't want to share too much with these females because who knew how many of them were informing for Nick and his team? Or how much technology was planted here?

She'd been honest with the men about wanting the females out. She knew if they were recording this she could convince Nathan that this conversation was only what she'd promised to do—to get the Chimera listening to her, working with her, to align with their common goals.

And that gave her an idea.

"If I can get you out of her,

" she said carefully, straightening her shoulders and raising her chin,

"If I can get you back to Thana, back to the males… will you acknowledge me?

"

Stunned silence met her proposal. But it was Vayl who stepped forward, her eyes bright and fierce.

"Sasha-don, if you can get us released, I will submit my power to you. All of it.

"

Then she clasped her hand to her chest and bowed her eyes and head as Sasha had seen the males do for Zev. And the cave rustled and rumbled then as every female in the place followed suit.

Yet, when Vayl straightened the fierceness hadn't left her gaze..

"But if you betray us, I will bite out your throat myself.

"