"I warned you away because it was reckless." But his tone has gone hurried and harsh. "Our situation is dangerous enough as it is. We don't need to bring greater powers down upon our heads."

John falls quiet for a long moment. His breathing is shallow and tense. Every shift of his shoulder and arm gently lifts the feathers spread over him, so that Serph will feel it when he reaches up to run his thumb along the scar across his throat.

When he speaks next, his voice has dropped soft and low.

"Yes. I suppose it was."