There is a quicksilver lightning strike of pain along his spine, too fast for him to smile it away. Something disagrees with his resolve. Automatically his hand twitches toward the back of Nassun’s neck… and then he stops himself. No. She is more to him than just relief from pain. Use her, commands the voice. Break her. So willful, like her mother. Train this one to obey. No, Schaffa thinks back, and braces himself to bear the lash of retaliation. It is only pain. So Schaffa tucks Nassun in, and kisses her forehead, and puts out the light as he leaves.
