<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff9999">Castelis let out a groan as he hauled her to her feet, shoulders pulling hard as she almost face planted on the cement floor, feet slipping in the water as she shakily tried to hold herself upright. When he released her, she collapsed in a shaking heap on the floor, trying to figure out which way was up. Gritting her teeth again, she lay there, tremors still running through her body, trying to find the energy to at least sit up, or push herself away from the center of the room. At best, she’d managed to roll over and face him, eyes burning with hatred as he returned to her. </span>