Third-Person POV:

Robert maintained his usual calm demeanor, but his hand reached for the phone.

Eric, sharp enough to notice but tactful enough not to comment, grinned as he shut the door behind him.

Alice had just wrapped up the meeting and was closing the slideshow when Professor Slock came up and patted her on the shoulder.

“Still the smart, resilient girl I remember. Those three years in the Repentance Sanctuary didn’t break your spirit one bit.”

If anyone else had mentioned those miserable, inhuman years, Alice would have retorted without hesitation.

But it was her mentor who brought it up, so she forced a stiff smile and nodded briefly....