Falling

"Men rely on more... straightforward approaches."
To prove a point he touched her again.
"Stop!" she gasped, surprised by her own reaction.
He stepped back, satisfied.
There was a pulse of familiar magic.
The artifact combed her memories, dragging unpleasant ones to the front.
"You can't turn me!" her words sounded weak.
The magic stopped and he finally faced her.
"I don't want to hurt you. Just to open your eyes."
He said it with caring sincerity.
She couldn't look at him.
"You're smart," the baritone persuaded. "You know *they* are using you..."
"...just because of your gift."
She gulped.