Gunner laughed when Anna confessed to being scared to properly hug Serena, "I'm scared to hug Serena. The girl is tiny but she is just a sturdy as you or I. Probably more you than me... She's tough too, I've been on the receiving end of her wrath. Hug her all you want. You aren't jinxed... The only person you've had an active part in hurting is yourself. You didn't make your father rape your mother, you didn't make Jace bite you. That was Moroi men taking advantage of Dhampirs. Plain and simple and more fault of our society than you."

He looked at Anna as she explained everything that she had been keeping from him over that last few years and it killed. Sure, he had noticed her acting different and he had done his best to help but... He should have just asked rather than letting her keep it all bottled up inside of her. When she mentioned getting out he nodded his head but didn't get up. He caught her chin with his hand and made her look him in the eye, "Don't let what your mother said get to you. I'd say about ninety percent of dhampirs that come out of communes are products of rape, most the women aren't even in their right mind to give consent. A vast majority of us are unwanted but dealt with. My mother may have wanted me but that doesn't mean my father was there for me. He tossed her aside just the same.... And Serena is a pretty good example of why it isn't always great to have your father around," He released her chin and looked at her, "So stop beating yourself up about your father being a dead beat Moroi."

He stood and walked over to the door. He looked at it for a moment before stepping back and kicked the door just under the handle causing the door to splinter. He grabbed the handle and forced the door open. He turned and looked to Anna, holding the door open for her, "After you."