Melanie nods. "But plants synthesize sunlight, and I don't think the fungus needs that." They never got any in the bunker, after all, though sometimes plants were brought down during science lessons. Those were exciting classes; none of them had seen plants before.

Melanie fiddles absently with the bouquet, running her fingertips along the edges of leaves or the soft, smooth petals. She can live off raw meat, and if she has to be around people, it's safer for one to bring her food regularly than it would be for her to hunt for herself. But it's most important to take care of everyone else's safety, so if he can't do that, it doesn't matter how often he visits the butcher.

She carefully sets the bouquet aside, then rises to her feet. "Show me. One of the restraining spells, I mean. Please."