[ she slips a bit lower into the tub, frowning to herself as she mulled over his words. the children were rescued, that’s true, and she supposed they’ll thank her for it...

but she sighs, resting her head against the back of the bath, eyes moving to the ceiling. ]

I hope the kidnapping was the only damage they incurred.

[ her tone is quiet, but not distant, eyes roving over the design etched into the ceiling. ]

Once I was taken to the camp or holding area, it was too late.

[ the slavers didn’t keep their hands to themselves, no matter what lie they spun to heleen. and heleen could tell, the broken ones versus the ones that hadn’t been violated yet. Inej was somewhere in between. scarred, but not broken.

she purses her lips slightly, shifting to rinse a portion of her hair. ]

At least dead they won’t do any more harm.