She figured he would say that. Her eyes narrowed. "Then why would you ever expect someone to want to really help you in return if you don't make an attempt on your own, or if you don't really want it?"

Her talking was cut off with the hands around her throat. Her eyes flew open wide and she kicked angrily at him, her hands tugging at his wrists.

Re-l tried to keep herself focused through the shaking, her body twisting in his grip. "Let go!" she choked out.