Really? If you were to think about pulling all the water out of these faucets and those toilets a basic skill among marids I mean, if you were to really consider doing it, what would happen?
She dropped her toothbrush into the holder on the shelf above the sink. Id be frozen in place. Or I might be shocked.
Exactly. These collars not only prevent you from doing what comes naturally, they prevent you from even thinking about it. Vandekamp is eroding your will.
Eroding? She let water fill her cupped palms, but then just stared at it, frowning.
With every thought he denies us, he robs us of a little bit of what makes us who we are. Like how massive canyons can be carved from small streams over time. A concept marids were intimately familiar with. Vandekamp is the stream, and you are the rock, and by the time hes done with you, hell have carved a hunk right out of your soul.
Simras sad, but not truly surprised expression opened a fresh crack in my already splintered heart. She stepped back from the sink so another woman could have a turn, and I followed her toward the doorway.
Simra, how long have you been here?
They dont give us calendars.
Fair enough. I knew exactly how difficult it was to keep track of time when every day was just a cruel repeat of the day before.
How many fall seasons have you been at the Spectacle?
This is my second. I came north to look for Adira after she was stolen from her groom before they could wed by terrorists trying to prevent an alliance between the marid and ifrit kingdoms.
I blinked, stunned by the story Sultan Bruhier had evidently told his people. Was he trying to avoid conflict with the ifrits?
Either way, it was not my place to deny her the bliss of ignorance.
I was going to help bring her home, Simra continued. To prove my worth as a companion.
So youve been here about a year?
Simra nodded.
I grew up free too.
And you really think its better to live in a rolling cage and eat scraps than to be here, in a room with showers and toilets and decent food to eat? Woodrow says were lucky. Were not in cages. Were not being starved. Were not being dragged from town to town in the back of a stifling, germ-filled trailer. Or being injected with toxic chemicals in lab tests.
And that was the true danger in the propaganda the Spectacle was feeding its captivesthe idea that they werent being abused or exploited just because they werent being starved or experimented on.
Chains and cages were only one way to crush a persons soul.
So what is happening to you? I asked as I followed her into the dorm room. What does Vandekamp do with his collection?
Whatever the client wants. Its different for everyone. For every engagement.
She tried to turn away from me, but I ducked into her path again. What is it for you?
I cant tell you that. Her hand went to her collar and her mouth closed. Her jaw tensed. Then she stepped around me and practically ran to the other ride of the room.
What was that about? Lenores question floated on a fresh, minty breath as she stopped at my side.
Vandekamp has his captives convinced that theyre lucky because theyre not lab rats or circus exhibits, yet theyre not allowed to talk about what goes on in these engagements.
They arent?
Not all of it anyway. The collars wont let them. And I see no more logical reason for that than for the fact that we cant talk at night. Vandekamps just trying to exert as much control over us as he can. Its like he gets off on it.
Delilah.
I dragged my focus away from Simra and turned to meet Lenores concerned gaze. What?
You cant help people who dont want to be helped.
But the furiae inside me disagreed.
Its not that they dont want to be helped. Its that they truly think this is the best life has to offer. If I couldnt help them, why the hell had fate saddled me with the vengeful beast already stirring restlessly inside me? They just need to see someone stand up to these remote-wielding bastards. Once they know its possible, theyll fight for themselves. For each other. Humanity doesnt have the market cornered on courage and justice. Thats not human nature. Its just nature.