He looked back at the warrior beside Kaiden. She had powers now, people who listened when she spoke, and a sword she knew how to use against the things that had ruined his life.
"Could you help me?"
Mrs. Weller rested her hand beside his on the blanket.
"You're fourteen, sweetheart. He's asking people to give up being human and bind their lives to his dungeon. That is far too much to decide because you've watched a broadcast."
"It would let me get stronger."
"And what would you do with that strength?"
"Fight monsters. Like she does."
Her hand covered his.
"Milo, we just watched that woman get beaten to death. I know she came back, but she still felt every moment of it. How could I help send you somewhere that might happen to you?"
"It already happened to my family."
The words came out louder than he intended. He pulled his hand from beneath hers, furious at the thought of being kept safe in this room while those things kept killing people outside it.
