Despite the amount of languages that Galina had learned the words that came from the man’s mouth were complete gibberish to her. But from the wave of the wand in his hand she was quite certain it was magic. What else could this man do to her? She hadn’t being immobilized, hated wasn’t quite the right word. Spikes of fear coursed through her as her feet lifted from the ground and she floated through the air. She had to think rationally, panicking would do her no good.

As the woods passed her of their own accord she forced herself to calm down. The second she could even begin to feel something in her arms, legs, jaw, she would ready herself to spring into action. Hopefully that would before he lit her on fire, some small terrified part of her whispered seditious against the calm in the back of her mind. This was what she got for letting a weakness come into her life. From being preoccupied.

She was so concerned with her current predicament that when she found herself coming to a stop she almost missed the man’s words. Yes, it could have gone smoother - if the man had bothered to give her a reason, to not just jump to conclusions. Then again, he must have some reason, he had known her name and so few did. She wasn’t registered at the ministry and she kept much to herself. How had the ministry even come to know of her? The only possible answer was Lyra or Mari. But Mari would never betray her. Lyra might. But if Mari were responsible and someone put two and two together…. Yes, this could have gone smoother. She could have fled, could have searched for answers on her own. But she had been arrogant in thinking she could cowe this man into telling her his reasons. She knew better, the angry thought had her attempting to flex her muscles again, to spring from this trap, but she remained firmly frozen in place.