"That makes sense too. Leave him to me, then - I promise I won't let either of you down," she assured, rubbing Sumi's back, glad that the tears are coming. It seems like they needed to come out, after all.

"And I'll be there for Midnight's Palace, too. This stuff doesn't hit me the way it hurts those of you who've felt it before, who've been hurt before... I'm ready to jump in and back you all up, or tackle things when it's too much. I know you all would do the same for me, too."