I think Quaid was just as shocked as I was.

Every other time the two of us even brushed skin against skin, there was this instant seal, a melding of power. I always found it simple to form a bond with his magic, if not with him personally. But, suddenly there was a barrier between, making us weak in the face of the creature. I found myself moving slowly forward, being pulled by the thing, linked to it for some unknown reason and unable to work myself free.

And from what ...