Michael's eyes widened as well.
Aiden's expression remained calm and unmoved by their reactions. "I have to"
"Aiden, no," Uriel said, stepping closer to him. Her voice was filled with desperation now. "You, more than anyone, understand the gravity of what you're suggesting. And yet you still intend to place yourself at his mercy?"
Aiden met her gaze. "I know the risks. And before you say it, yes I know I have kids now, I have laela, arianna and I have you"
"Then why?" Uriel demanded, his frustration boiling over. "Why would you willingly walk into that which counts as a trap?"
Aiden sighed. Then said, "listen, if we all stay here and do nothing, we will get fucked, eventually. It's that simple."
There was a brief pause before he added,
"If we are to stand any chance of defending ourselves against the others, we will need help, or at the very least ensure that our closest neighbor does nothing against us."
