Though Katelina struggled, she was no match for Claudius, for his fiery anger, his desire to make her suffer. He'd had something else in mind, some other torture, before Troy had suggested something worse; the darkness that society pounded into a woman's brain, taught her to fear above everything else.

I have to get away.

Claudius released Katelina's wrists and raised himself up to unfasten his pants. Panic consumed her and she swung her fist. The blow connected with ...