"It's nothing, sweetie." Tista wiped her face and smiled, forcing herself to focus on what was in front of her instead of what might be. "I'm fine. Everything is fine."
"Now, whatever you imagined a moment ago, multiply it one thousand times because that's how painful it would be if someone really hurt Surin." Kamila said. "Once you do, ask yourself what you've asked us. You don't have to answer me or anyone else. Only to yourself."
Tista found her answer and didn't like it one bit.
"I need time to think." She said, yet what she actually needed was time to look herself in the mirror and see if she still liked the person returning her gaze. "I promise I won't talk about the Bleed with anyone. Is that enough?"
"It's all we ask." Lith patted her shoulders, a wan smile creasing his face. "I just want to add one more thing, Big Sis. I'm not proud of what I did. Nobody here is. But I'd shit on my pride and eat it before letting anything bad happen to you or anyone I love."
