Katelina hurried down the hall. She took the stairs as fast as she could. Halfway up, she stopped to catch her breath. Her shoulder burned all the way to her hand, and she was so thirsty. She needed a little sip, a taste-

She tensed when she heard someone running down the stairs, but relaxed when she saw Brandle. His face was flushed, and his shirt was torn. Blood ran down one arm, though she couldn't see the wound.

"What's going on?"

"I could ask you the same ...