"...aye, as did I," she reminded softly. Killing was the fastest way to escape and not fear being chased in her case. In Nathaniel's it was the safest he could make Beryl safe. Same difference in most cases, extremes were survival and fear combined.

She wasn't foolish enough to think Nathaniel or Beryl would properly survive the loss of the other.

* * *

She reached up to trace fingers along his lips, sober, "I know. I know you did, I'm proud of you, but I'm going to do my damndest to makes sure you never have to handle the killing." Again anyway.

"I'll fail sometimes, I'm sorry." She had to say it.