Sabine gave Ahnasha just a glance before looking down again. "I do not know how to destroy it. Meesei has said that it is indestructible. As far as she knew." She closed her eyes. "I do not even know how I would take it from her anyway. She is almost scared to let it go."

"You could ask," Fendros said. His eyes looked to the others. "I am not joking. She might simply let you hold it. She would trust you, even if you might break that trust this time. So, as Ahna asked, would she be willing to hurt you over it?"

Sabine brought her hands up to clutch the hair at the sides of her head, overwhelmed. "I do not know..."

Janius reached a hand to Sabine's shoulder. "Look, what's important right now is getting the book off Meesei. We do not have to destroy it just yet, and I can't imagine Meesei hurting you either. Or any of us, for that matter, but you were always like her daughter." Janius squeezed Sabine's shoulder. "If you like, you can try to get her in private. Do you think you'll need our help?"

For a while, Sabine was wordless. She leaned up on her chair and ran her fingers over her eyes with her tears welling up again.

"We can wait outside while you do it if that would make you feel-"

"No." Sabine said with new determination. "I will speak with her. I will try to get the book. I have to try."