It was after midnight when a knock sounded on the back door. Verchiel opened it to find a guard who wanted to know if he was "finished with his human."

Verchiel tapped his chin. "Well, I suppose I can be. Though I may want her back later."

Katelina glared at him but let the guard usher her out and take her up the stairs and through the gate. When she walked into the main room of the secure place, one of the guards politely asked her if she needed, "medical attention". ...