Holden's gaze faltered for a moment, but then resumed his glare directed at Izzy. "Spare me your cheap pity. What could you [i]possibly[/i] do? All I need is for you to shut your mouth and not pay me any further mind." He seemed to struggle for something to say for a moment, before nearly blurting, "Kindness can also be a form of hostility." He took a deep breath, collecting himself, and continued, "I don't want to, but if you defy me, I'll go to war over this."

Though his gaze was hard as steel, his fear showed through in other ways. The twitch at the corners of his mouth, the sweat beading on his forehead. He wasn't kidding when he said he was desperate, and this was certainly showing through. It was deeply sad, in a way, how alone he was and how little he understood. Izzy had been just like him, before, completely lost in a world she had no comprehension of. Just her and the demon on her back.