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prisoners escape, but her heart ached for the ones they had to forsake in order to keep her mother’s suspicions contained. Lian didn’t like it, but she figured if Meiling still had access to some prisoners and could actually continue her trade, she wouldn’t conduct a proper investigation. She might even chalk it up to an accounting error.
    Her mother somehow got her hands on random girls and boys from who-knew-where and sold them to one of her many contacts. So far, Meiling didn’t know who was cutting into her slave trade or where the leak was, but Lian figured Meiling probably cared more about the credits she gained rather than those she lost. Then again, her mother could just be biding her time.
    “Let’s get them out of here,” Vera said. “Hogan should have the transport waiting for us soon.”
    The mention of Hogan made Lian’s stomach tighten. There was a time when the mere thought of the guard caused her heart to tumble madly inside her chest because she couldn’t wait to see him. But now, it just left her confused. Aside from the times when they busted these prisoners out, they didn’t see each other.  
    Since the dreams had started there’d only been one man on her mind. Someone she’d never met. Yet, he visited her every night, filling her with hope.
    “Lian?”
    “Let’s do this.” This wasn’t the time to get distracted.  
    She plunged her index finger into the wall terminal and the door clicked open. As soon as it did, she heard the muffled sobs coming from the other side.
    Vera charged inside. “Let’s get to them before they start screaming.”
    Lian doubted anyone would hear them scream this deep inside the house, but these poor captives must have been through some tough and violent ordeals before being dumped inside this cell. She’d seen many of them lose it before they realized she and Vera just wanted to help.
    “Shh.” Vera held a finger in front of her own mouth. “Don’t scream, please. We’re here to get you out.”
    The adolescents scampered like frightened animals.
    Lian counted six—all female. There had been as many as a dozen before, and as few as three. Smaller numbers made it easier to smuggle them down the corridor and into the waiting transport. Some usually got left behind, but not today.
    “It’s okay, we’re going to help,” Lian added, stepping deeper into the room’s shadows. She knew most of these cells were different—some partially exposed to the elements, some fully enclosed. This one was a concrete box, devoid of anything, and it was freezing. “Come on.” She held out a hand and waited.
    She didn’t want to push or scare the girls any more than they already were, but if she was going to pass her absence off as a bathroom break, she’d have to get a move on. Her whole body cooled as she and Vera waited for at least one of the girls to respond. That was usually how it happened. One would break the ice and the others would follow.
    Each second that passed seemed heavy and weighed on her patience, but she knew it was better not to rush them. After all, they were imprisoned and waiting for an unknown fate they couldn’t control.
    “We’re not here to hurt you.” Lian couldn’t fault their reluctance. Four of the girls were holding hands and huddled together, weeping softly. The other two sat on either side of the group and seemed older. The girl to the left caught Lian’s eye, so she curved her fingers, motioning her to move and hoping the plea would encourage her. “I know it’s hard but if you want to be free, you have to trust us.”
    Silent moments ticked by and Lian began to wonder if this attempted rescue would be their first to fail, when the girl finally nodded and stood. Her bones seemed to creak with every move, but her cold fingers closed around Lian’s as soon as she was close enough. Lian offered the girl a small smile and a nod. The teenager motioned to the others. One of the girls took Vera’s hand and slowly rose to her