Summary

Part II: The Trials, continued

XXI: Laia – Laia realizes she has run into Elias, the Commandant’s son. Elias asks for Laia’s real name, and she gives it to him. He seems concerned about the burn wound on her chest. She reveals she is too busy trying to gather sand. She is interested to learn about Elias’s time in the First Trial, but worries that his friendliness toward her could be a trick.

Elias carries Laia back into the kitchens. Elias tells Cook to tend to Laia. When he leaves, Cook asks Laia who Darin is, for Laia was calling out his name in the night. Laia reveals Darin is her brother. The Cook quickly sizes up that Laia is working for the Resistance. The Cook cautions Laia not to do anything dangerous, because the Cook herself once worked...