PERSEFONE POV The bag above me was half full. Blood collection pouch would be more accurate. Because apparently my brain had decided that if I was going to die strapped to a table in some underground nightmare facility, I might as well die using correct terminology. Wonderful. Very nerdy of me. The clear tube running from the inside of my elbow pulsed dark red every few seconds, pulling warmth out of me in slow, patient little tugs. Blood left my body. Some physiological solution entered it through the second IV in my other arm. They were bleeding me and watering me back down like a f*****g plant they had overpruned. Something I would never do to my precious roses. Would Ermes have transplanted my babies without me? Maybe not. Maybe Penny would take care of them. She got easily

