The red tattoo on his neck faded back to its usual dormant state.
"Can you hear me?" he asked gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. His touch was careful, mindful of her injuries.
The girl's eyes fluttered open.
They were green and bright despite her pain.
She looked at him with confusion and fear, but there was also something else there—a spark of hope that hadn't been completely extinguished.
She nodded weakly, wincing at even that small movement.
"Good," Jorghan said.
He carefully helped her sit up, his hands steady as he checked her injuries.
Her left arm was badly bruised, possibly with cracked ribs from the way she held herself, and she had cuts and contusions across her face and body. Nothing seemed broken beyond repair, but she was badly hurt.
"You're going to be okay. I won't let them hurt you anymore."
He didn't know why he was helping the girl. He just didn't want to see her in pain anymore.
The girl managed a small smile through her pain.
