Chapter 247
Katelina watched as a door to the left opened and four gray clad guards bustled through. Between them hung a thin, unhappy woman. Blonde hair fell around her face in disarray and tears leaked from large, gray eyes. Her shirt was torn open and practically hung off of one arm. Bruises blossomed on her face and arms like purple-black flowers.
The guards led her to the end of the table and stood, surrounding her. As Malick's eyes swept over her, the pressure on Katelina's mind seemed to lessen. She found Verchiel in a chair next to her, and looked again to Jorick. His eyes were on his hands.
Malick's question boomed through the room, "What is your name?"
As if Malick was holding her up, the woman's spine suddenly snapped straight and she stepped forward. Her hollow voice made Katelina shiver. "Dahlia."
"Show us your mark."
She turned around, her movements wooden. The ripped shirt revealed a slice of her back and her shoulder blade, where a scar was just visible.