h as Michael's problem is not life-threatening, that
might not come into play."

"It might, though, since it's due to Shayan's direct action." Cortin
stood. "I've got to give it a try--if it works, I'll be back with him."

For Shayan's reaction: 20a. Decision

21. Anguish

Tuesday, 17 March 2572

Cortin prayed harder than she could remember ever having done before,
resting her hands on Odeon's forehead and chest, trying to give him her
own strength in case the Protector didn't see fit to intervene. Mike
had been hurt doing the Protector's work; if there was any justice at
all, He should at least give Mike back the strength he'd spent on His
behalf!

Apparently He agreed, Cortin thought as she felt her hands grow warm.
It was a peculiar sensation, as if she were absorbing energy through
every pore of her body, channeling it, and pushing it into Odeon. His
color improved and he grew visibly stronger, until he seemed to be in a
natural sleep rather than a coma. At that point the power-flow
stopped; as she removed her hands, he opened his eyes.

When he did, his expression frightened her almost as much as his
weakness had. Granted that no one could face Shayan and come out of it
unchanged, Odeon looked . . . haunted. "Dave told us about it," she
said softly. "So you don't need to talk about it unless you want to."

Odeon sat up, putting his arms around his knees, looking away from her.
"I don't want to--but you deserve to know that I may not be much good
to you any more. I . . . I don't think I could go through that
again--I don't see how you and Sis can even consider facing him."

Cortin sat beside him, resting her hand on his shoulder. She'd
suffered the most physical damage, but it was obvious from Sis' and
Mike's reactions that she'd been spared Shannon/Shayan's worst torment:
he'd kept out of her mind! There was therapy, good therapy, for
physical rape; she didn't know of any at all for mental rape. They'd
do what they could for him, that went without saying, but she could
only hope that'd be enough. "We'll help you, Mike, all of us. And the
Protector loaned me some of His power to bring you out of the shock he
sent you into. Just remember what you told me: God will test us to our
utmost limits, but not beyond them. I know words aren't a lot of help
right now, but maybe the Family will be--if you feel up to it, we're
gathered in the common-room. Ivan's here too; I thought he might