Jorick's words came, soft and warm. "How long have you been awake?"
His voice brought Katelina back to the small room, and she answered truthfully, "Not very long. Oren's the only one I've seen and he just yelled a lot." She bit her lip and then continued, uncertainly, "Why didn't you answer me?"
Jorick blinked, and then understanding dawned. "You mean the Linking?" She nodded and his shoulders relaxed. "You drank enough of another master's blood to undo any mark I left upon you."
A strange disappointment flickered through her. "Oh. So it's gone?"
He offered her a wan smile. "Yes, you should be happy. You hated it so."
"I don't know. It was kind of comforting, actually. I mean, I knew where you were and what you were doing." She swallowed hard. "I'm not- I mean, Kateesha-"
"Linked t
