Linsy gave a slow, deliberate shake of her head. The gesture was heavy with a weary finality. Michael had been looking for a reason to doubt her, to confirm the suspicion that had festered in him since Hanuel's reappearance. If he were a man who listened to explanations, he would not have turned his back on her with such icy finality in that hallway. He operated on conviction, not conversation.

"Mansa" she said, her voice softer now, the adrenaline of the confrontation ebbing away. "Thank you. ...