Katelina dropped back into herself, and staggered from the shock. She blinked Jorick's curious face into focus. Brad, meanwhile, gave a shuddering gasp and broke into tears. His misery echoed inside her, as sharp as if it was her own. His ache, his pain, the screaming guilt that he should have protected Patty. It was something Katelina'd felt before, once when she thought Jorick was dead.

Jorick moved her to the edge of the bed. She took slow breaths, trying to cleanse away ...