Tortured

Set between Birthmarked and Prized, the story follows Leon immediately after the events of the first book. He has survived torture, is recovering, and is left behind while Gaia escapes into the wasteland.

From Leon’s perspective, the narrative focuses on his pain, his determination to find Gaia, and the fraught realities of his family and the Enclave. The story emphasizes his thoughts and feelings more than external action.

The piece functions as a short bridge or gap-filler, ending before major new plot developments. It also comes packaged with a teaser for the next book, reinforcing its role as setup rather than a standalone full-length installment.