Widernia wasted no breath to return the retort, but instead tightened her arm around Veronica's neck very firmly had the pale woman was alive and needed breathing, she would feel the choking. 

[color=f49ac2]"Why bother? Just leave him!"[/color] whispered the mage.

Widernia did not hide her cowardice and anxiety when Veronica grabbed the unconscious guard. When the sound of clanging iron resonated on the corridor, the mage shivered and her breathing was ragged when her savior halted her pace. 

[color=f49ac2]"I have no love for Stritzel, nor her pet bear. A failed test subject he is."[/color] she mumbled [color=f49ac2]"These people too are equally useless, and if morality is your reason to save them, you should know that those men are not in any way less despicable than me. But at least I have a deal you must honor!" [/color]
___

Steadfast like a statue, Bartholomew conveyed his fair warning, axe planted to the floor. 

Upstairs, Ted the Gladiator unleashed his unadulterated rage toward the iron door that separated him and his Mother. A solid barrier the door was, but still could not match Ted's unnaturally enhanced might.  Dirt and grime dusted off from the trembling ceiling and wall, metals clanged in idle protest. By the third pounding its shape started to bend, by the fourth, its hinges started to give in.

___

In the east room, there were other shelves, and desks, strewn about in disarray after the Juvenile bear thrashed the room to find their improvised tools. When Solomon looked closer toward the desk there was a torn diagram that seemed to belong to a large tome that was likely lost in the fire now. On the floor there were notes and writing about the research on blood harvested from unnatural beings, some looked slightly wetted and smelled awful.