Chapter 317

“Hannah knows how we could get out of the mountain, but refuses to show us. She says there is no place beyond the hills you would be safe enough. The places the free men and women live are not stable enough to protect a human. One day, she’ll take us,” he growled looking at me, “just not today.”

I had not even thought about it when I released the men. It had not occurred to me to remember how to get to the escape tunnels.

I picked up Kennedy and wrapped her as we stepped back into the main room. She was waking up in my arms and watched the family drama unfold with me. We stood quietly just inside the main room. I took in the attitudes around us. The men’s faces had become resigned. Hannah was evidently not budging from her position.

“The communities now,” Hannah said softly, “are not strong enough. The women can only just manage to protect the men. Mama would be dead in a lunar cycle.”

Damien placed a hand on Hannah’s arm and pleaded with her. “We can protect