Signless turns his head when the door opens, hood down away from his face. His eyes are wide and exhausted, but that spark that always drives him was still there. Stifled and choked some, but stubbornly burning on. He barely has a chance to react before his guardian is on him.

His gasps harshly against her shoulder, wrapping his bandaged arms tightly around her. The grip of his hands is far weaker by comparison, but that doesn't stop him from curling his fingers into her cloak.

The greatest torture had been not knowing what had become of her. The highbloods had been more than happy to give him various, horrible ideas, all of which are tearing through his mind and heart right now.