Summary

Lilith exits Joseph’s room and opens the cabinets so that the others can eat. Jean Pelerin complains about Lilith sleeping with Joseph. A man named Peter Van Weerden speculates loudly that the walls are designed this way to keep them from organizing against their jailor. Lilith warns him that if they do not successfully learn to work together the Oankali will likely place them back in suspended animation and subject them all to solitary confinement again, which quiets Van Weerden. Tate compliments Lilith when she comes to sit with her, Leah, and a man named Gabriel Rinaldi, who is Tate’s mate.

When Joseph awakens next to Lilith, he is distrustful. Lilith explains that what happened between them was not real sex but instead a neurosensory illusion stimulated by Nikanj. Joseph is alarmed at how powerful the experience was and...