Kaltain," her uncle rumbled, a demand and a threat and a promise. The silent...

Kaltain," her uncle rumbled, a demand and a threat and a promise. The silent young woman-the one who never spoke, who never looked at anything, who had such marks on her. Elide had seen her only a few times. Had seen how little she responded. Or fought back.
And then Elide was walking up the stairs.