Maria.
The very moment Galen saw me, she severed the mind link without hesitation. One second her presence brushed against my thoughts, and the next it was gone, cut cleanly, almost too abruptly. She didn't look away or pretend nothing had happened. Instead, she lifted her head and looked straight at me, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made it impossible to read what she was thinking.
I was certain she was already rehearsing answers in her head, preparing explanations for whatever questions she assumed I would ask. I could almost see it written on her face, the careful calculations, the guarded expressions, the quiet readiness to defend herself if necessary. But to her surprise, and even to mine, no questions came.
I didn't have the strength for it.
