"Open your mouth."
The command was a flat, sterile absolute in the quiet of the dojo.
"Camille, please," Yanna begged, her voice trembling. "I passed the physical. I
didn't flinch. I'll be good."
"Open. Your. Mouth."
"I don't want to forget."
"You do not know what you want," Camille said, stepping closer. The two white
pills rested on the center of her taped palm. "You are an asset. Assets do not
have preferences. They have utility. Right now, your memory is a liability.
Open."
Yanna's jaw remained locked. Tears spilled hot and fast down her cheeks,
stinging the fresh cut on her lip.
"Do you want me to call the hospital?" Camille asked softly. "Do you want me to
tell Dr. Santos that the Navarro corporate account has been frozen?"
Yanna's lips parted. A broken, pathetic sob escaped her throat.
"Wider," Camille ordered.
Yanna opened her mouth. She squeezed her eyes shut.
Camille didn't just place the pills on Yanna's tongue. She shoved her taped
