Stone Circle We cannot be equal

Laurel looked numbly at the delirious Xan as he seemed to give up altogether. She felt greatly relieved that Valette was here now, who'd helped her before when Xan had wanted to bother her. Now he did not seem so dangerous, however, though Laurel still didn't feel much like touching him. But she could use him, like she had used him before, and this time she would be stronger -- this time she would not let him wrap her heart around his finger like he had before. This time, she was in control.

She felt her body stiffen when Valette said that they should get Xan over the border. How were they supposed to do that if he couldn't move himself? The thought of touching him frightened her. Come on, get up, Laurel barked in a commanding tone -- the most lively she'd been since Indra's death -- hoping that it would make him able to stand and walk by himself.