"Not even a little?" Shay asked doubtfully. "I mean, I know there's Clement, but I don't think he counts. He's weird. Like I'm weird. He shouldn't have been able to happen, but there he is."-
Shay was trailed off, then said in a small sort of voice, "I hate him for being a Lich. At least a little." Then her voice rose defensively. "It's not like he was born that way like me or you or Roa. He had to become what he was via murder, and God knows what else. It was a choice. Just because he regrets it now doesn't mean... – All those lives Angelo. If you could hear the way they cried, you might have him for that alone too."
Shay pulled back from the hug but held Angelo's arms as she searched his face, the emotions on her own were unfathomable but struck somewhere deep. She sniffed, then smiled strenuously.
"One kid would be good enough for me. Besides, you say that now, but I'm practically unbearable when I'm joking around with you.
"Actually, you must have some masochistic streak. What's wrong with you? I was ruining your life enough when I was some mod brat who kept fucking up, and now you move me in? Take me under your wing? You are working overtime for those good points, huh?"
She laughed without any humor and gave his arm a little, friendly pat.
