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Maybe a nahual trying to scare hi…

"He was even worse than the woly, for Con was getting agitated And his agitation took the for willy-nilly around the room I swiftly pulled a bit of water out of the air to da about people he’d killed while he was escaping, so I said, "You took care of theht, when you escaped?"

Con looked at me darkly "No The woman wasn’t there that day and neither was the healer He was there a lot to begin with, but I think he got prorew even colder to ood at his job, after all Really into pain He did things…" Conleth fell silent again, and I knew this silence wasn’t to be broken

"He did bad things," I said, trying to let him off the hook and let him know he didn’t have to continue if he didn’t want to

But that’s not how Con took it He looked up sharply, his power flaring in a white-hot burst of flame

"What the fuck do you know about it, Jane?"

I blinked, confused by his sudden anger My kidnapper and I had been getting along so well up till then

"Your life has been a fucking cake walk What do you know about pain? About hu on me

"Con, I didn’t mean--"

"No, fuck you, Jane You had a boyfriend die Your lovingfather So you did some time in a real hospital, watched over by your fa?" Conleth’s voice was steadily rising, as was the heat pulsing off of hily "I’m sorry--"

"The shit they did to me toward the end, Jane…" His voice broke and his fire died, revealing shoulders sluony of recollection But it was only aback to life and he advanced on ht we could be friends, Jane, but maybe you can’t understand me Maybe you’re just like everyone else What the fuck do you know?" he repeated, reaching out a fla up a strong shield and pulling some water out of the ocean-laden air that doused his fire as his hand penetrated my hastily erected barrier I didn’t want to piss hi him touch me, but I also didn’t want ht I’ back fall free "I’m sorry! I can’t understand I have been lucky But I want to try, Conleth I want to get to know you"

His hand grippedto discern whether or not I was lying Which I was, by the way--like a fucking rug There had been a minute, early on, when I wondered if I wouldn’t be able to get through to hiet the help he needed And to see some justice done

Now I realized that was a total pipe dream Yes, he was a victim But Con was too et the fuck out of Dodge, not attempt to play counselor

But I didn’t let , black eyes look extra baby seal He seemed to like what he saw, for he nodded, finally, and took a step back, trying to regain his self-control What there was of it

"I’ht I don’t know you yet, but give me a chance"

"You should be sorry"

"I am, Con I am So sorry"