In the hazy space between dead and waking, Ryan feels cool fingers press against the fading pulse on her neck and frantically pouring a burning liquid—-Desert Rose—-down her throat; she’s nearly unconscious, but she thinks she hears a whispered plea. “Please alive.”

—

“Why did you save my life?” she’ll demand later when they’re in the Bat Cave, Mary flitting around checking her wounds and Luke and Sophie glaring distrustfully at Alice, who’s handcuffed to a railing. “We’re not friends.”

“No,” Alice agrees, with a meaningful glance at her cuffed hands, “but like it or not, we’re allies.”