She didn't want to force her ability between them, or herself into his emotions when he didn't want her there. It was something she tried to be careful of, with friends, with loved ones. Yes, she could see into their souls, knew their hopes, dreams, fears...but it meant more when they shared them, told her of their own volition, or trusted her to offer the touch. Wanting to touch in comfort and knowing others feared what she might see in it kept her far more isolated than she had ever wanted to be.

The terror and shame hit her hard, before she could pull her hands back and leave him to his own emotions. Every bit of her ached to hold him, but didn't want to invade further, and she curled her fingers into fists to keep them to herself, watching him with concern and fear.

She'd gotten enough of a jolt to know something horrible had happened, but she hadn't pried, hadn't pushed deep against his wishes--his terror was enough to scare her, though. "What happened? What did he do?"