Kell's fingers closed tightly over hers, squeezing as if he was making sure she wasn't an apparition, come to haunt him. He drew her a touch closer, holding on for a few more seconds before he took a breath, let one of her hands go to hold her by the other.

With quick steps, he led her to the back of the sanctuary, through a doorway. As they passed the priest bowed his head with a soft murmur.

"Mas Aven."

Kell did not pause, did not acknowledge it, and kept them moving. They twisted through hallways, leaving behind the more beautifully appointed rooms and many libraries, the public areas, to enter smaller chambers with unfinished wooden doors. Many were closed, but some opened to small, dorm-like rooms drawn with meditation circles on the floor, candles burning with soft, flickering light.

He drew her into one that looked like all the others, deep within the complex. It held a small, narrow cot, a meditation circle, a simple basin and cloth, and a single candle that showed no signs of melting wax.

"This room is mine," he explained, his voice low and not quite steady. "From the time I was a child. It stays open for me always. A sanctuary."

Kell shut the door behind them, lingering on the latch, and finally looked up.

This time, he did not hold himself back from reaching for her.