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Hector looked at the twins in the darkness, still asleep in their makeshift beds. ‘But... what about the children?’

‘Do you think you should stay?’

His expression strained. ‘I don’t know... people could be hurt out there, right? Trapped under rubble or something?’

‘That they could.’

He stood and ran a hand across his face as he started pacing across the room. ‘What do I do? If someone’s dying over there, and I could--agh--but I just--!’

‘Take the kids with you.’

He watched Garovel float back down through the ceiling. ‘What?!’

‘You could be gone for hours, depending on how things go. Shouldn’t leave babies unattended for that long.’

‘But it’s fucking dangerous!’

‘You’ll keep them safe.’

He was incredulous. ‘You can’t know that! What if I fuck things up again?!’

‘Hector,’ said Garovel. ‘I know you still lack confidence, but there is no doubt in my mind that you will protect them. Need I remind you of all the people you’ve already saved?’

He looked at the floor and frowned.

‘I do need to? Okay, well, let’s see. There’s Bohwanox, me, Colt, these same children, me again, those people from the apartment complex the other day, Lynn, Roman, Mehlsanz, the fucking Queen of Atreya, me a third time--oh, and that girl from your first night as my servant, remember her? Come on, there are so many that I can’t even remember them all. And guess what? You’re stronger now than you’ve ever been.’

‘I... ah... but if they get hurt...’

‘They’ll always be in danger of getting hurt. But right now, one of the safest places they can be is by your side. Just don’t use them to reflect bullets, and I think they’ll be fine.’

Hector was silent.

Garovel waited, and then said, ‘How about I go scout out the situation first, then?’

He looked up. ‘N-no. I don’t want you going anywhere without me, either.’

‘I’ll be careful.’ The reaper moved toward the wall.

‘No, you’re right. I’ll... I’ll keep the kids safe... and I’ll keep you safe, too.’