Chapter 164

When they reached the elevator, Malick's spell evaporated, and with it went all of Katelina's strength. She leaned against the elevator wall to keep from falling. Every inch of her trembled. Warm tears ran down her face and she fought to pull herself together.

Malick hadn't physically touched her, still there was a similarity between the way she felt now and the way she'd felt after Claudius' stronghold. As with him, it was the mental invasion that was the worst. Malick had invaded the inner most recesses of her mind and taken glimpses of her secret thoughts. Though more probing, it hadn't been as painful as Claudius, which was just as well because Jorick wasn't there to make it okay. There was only Verchiel who casually watched the Atrium slip past outside and whistled to himself.

The song ended abruptly.

"It's like that for most people, the first time."

She wiped her face clumsily, though she refused to look at him with her tears. "What?"