Sacrifices

Sarmad stepped outside with her to dissuade her.
She insisted and finally, he agreed.
Things Thorne had on him, when taken, lay piled on a table.
She dropped her emergency beacon among them as she grabbed the artifact, activating both.
She hoped the artifact's magic'll hide the beacon's until the response team gets there.
She steeled herself as she went back in.
Hurting Thorne was the only way to protect him.
It just had to look convincing.
The artifact could cause 'phantom pains'.
He can handle physical pain.
At least there'll be no lasting damage.
Not to his body, anyway...