Besca gritted her teeth when she figured Quinn wasn’t looking, tried to keep herself calm as the girl began to shiver apart again. Follen’s eyes heavied with perfect, reptilian sympathy, that left no trace of the smugness he’d shown her. 

“[color=lightblue]I wish very much that there was, Quinn. I would have gladly opted to simply hide you away here, but, with Besca’s new position of authority…well, it could get both of you in a lot of trouble. And then you’d just get sent home anyway.[/color]”

He shook his head again, as if he’d tried to consider it. “[color=lightblue]No. No, I’m afraid this is the only way we can keep you here. And…well, I’m afraid I don’t even know if it’s certain to work, yet.[/color]”

“[color=gray]Aldous…[/color]” Besca said, embarrassed by how close it sounded to a plea. 

“[color=lightblue]Besca,[/color]” he replied evenly. “[color=lightblue]We should be honest with her. She deserves that from us both, don’t you think? And besides, friends are honest with each other.[/color]”

Follen got up, walked around the desk and crouched down beside Quinn’s seat. Besca fought the urge to pull her away. Even harder she fought the urger to lash out and swat him. 

“[color=lightblue]Quinn,[/color]” he said, in a soft voice she knew he’d picked up from her, from how she talked to Dahlia. “[color=lightblue]You see, I’ve done what I can. I pushed you to the front of the line, and together Besca and I can get you into the seat—but you have to perform. I know it sounds cold, it is, and it’s not fair, either. I want you to know I wouldn’t have done this if I didn’t have [i]every[/i] confidence in you.[/color]”

He reached a hand out, stroked her other shoulder. The hair on the back of Besca’s neck bristled. 

“[color=lightblue]You are a strong, [i]brave[/i] girl. You are sitting here with us right now, because you are meant for this. And I know, I know it deep in my heart that you will fight for what’s important to you. Besca and I, we’ll both be right there with you, every step, no matter what. You will have our undivided support. The only thing we want you to do is your best.[/color]” His eyes turned up to her, smile unflinching. “[color=lightblue]Isn’t that right, commander?[/color]”

She swallowed hard. She didn’t know what to say. Again. God, it seemed like she never did. There was too much to think about, between the horrific secret of Quinn’s past, to the potentially catastrophic future awaiting her. A sword dangling over the girl’s head, bound by so many threads but every one Besca tried to untangle seemed to loosen two more, and if she wasn’t careful the thing would plunge. 

She had to tell herself again that she’d lost. That Follen had won at a game she hadn’t even known she was playing. 

“[color=gray]He’s right,[/color]” she said, finally. The words were acid in her throat. “[color=gray]I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you. This is…this is the only way.[/color]”

Besca squeezed Quinn’s hand back, tight. “[color=gray]I’m sorry…[/color]”