Devastated was an understatement. Mitchell's eyes were wide and liquid, tears forming that threatened to spill over. "Did some--" he swallowed, choking on the words. "Did someone hurt you? Sam?"
No wonder his slave hadn't wanted to speak to him. He'd let him go out, unaccompanied, and when Samandriel had needed him, he hadn't been there. He hadn't been able to protect him. He hadn't been able to prevent more hurt. The one thing he'd promised to do.