Silence, blessed and absolute. I basked in it, content to be alone.

“Katya?”

The voice intruded upon my silence. I wanted it to go away.

A breathed prayer of gratitude and a warm hand on my face. “Katya, come back.”

Back? To the pain and screaming? No. Things were simple here in the silence.

Thumbs wiped my cheeks and my eyes opened of their own accord.

Kseniya knelt next to me, her eyes were red and swollen from crying, but her smile was gentle. “Ekaterina, please shield yourself.”

I blinked stupidly at her, I couldn’t remember what that meant.

She caressed my face, “Martin cannot keep you in the void forever. You have to be able to protect yourself.”

Memory returned slowly. I wanted to weep at the thought of leaving the silence, but did what I was asked. I raised the walls of my mind, their weight hated yet necessary. I sighed and nodded.

Pressure returned. Whispers at the edge of hearing. A sob caught in my throat and I waited for Val to mock me, familiar and comfortable.

Waited.