He blinked, automatically wrapping his arms around her as he tried to comprehend what she'd just said. Clearly, his words had some kind of effect on her, given the intensity of her sobs, and the way she clutched onto him. Marken had no intention of releasing her either, not while she was in such a shape. He noticed the vial that she'd dropped, and narrowed his eyes.

He was barely able to make out what she had said, something about poison and that she couldn't do it? He held her just as tightly as she held him, feeling wide awake now. Something was very clearly wrong, and Marken wanted to get to the bottom of it. He began stroking her hair in an attempt to comfort her, dipping his head down so that his lips just brushed against her ear. "Calm down Ella. Tell me what's wrong. What's this about poison?" He sounded cautious, though his grip on the girl never lessened, though it could just as easily be justified as him holding her so she couldn't do anything.