章 27: Chapter 27: Conjuring

I only wish that ordinary people had an unlimited capacity for doing harm; then they might have an unlimited power for doing good. - Socrates

I open my mouth, but the council returns. This time, they don't sit in any specified order. But the same man sits across from me. He smiles. Staring into his eyes, I wonder what he's thinking. Focusing in on him, my mind tunes into his faint voice.

Picking up the bottle of water, Vlad holds it above the table.

I glance at him perplexed and pull the plastic container from his hand.

He slides a hand under the slit of my dress.

Thighs pressed together, I struggle to ward off the infiltration of his hand, but it continues to make progress despite my attempts.

He grabs my left knee, pulling it toward him, and the legs of chair screech over the floor.