Bella gripped Tam's wrists so tightly that she could feel his bone under her thumb. She glared mercilessly at him and felt his blood heat up until his skin burned and he was screaming.

The blisters spread up his arm getting worse as she squeezed tighter. His flesh split on his wrist, making a wide, grotesque gash.

He finally opened his eyes again and glanced over her shoulder. He gasped.

Bella whirled to face the threat and froze when she met the dark blue eyes of an elf with darker skin and black hair.

The stranger gave her a sad smile. "Valerie."

As if someone had just turned the key, all of her memories came flooding back, crashing through her mind in torrents. Her eyes widened and she couldn't move. Names, faces, events. They all burst into her mind until it was almost too much to bear.

Her vision finally cleared and she blinked back tears. "Dad?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
He smiled warmly at her.

Suddenly, she felt an all too familiar presence in her mind.

She clenched her fists, frost forming on her quivering hands. "Get... out... of my head."

There was a sickening snap and Gethen collapsed to the ground, his neck grotesquely broken.

Valerie collapsed into Prentice's arms, crying uncontrollably.

He held her tight and stroked her hair like he used to do when she was little.

She nestled her head under his chin, breathing shakily.

He squeezed her shoulders. "It's okay. You're safe now." He leaned his head on hers. "You're safe now, Valerie."