So when I stood there, expression neutral and my pulse steady, it wasn't because I fancied martyrdom — well, not that I'd never love to die just to be done with the suffering.
But rather, it was because all the vectors weighed to favor me—failure, exposure, the loss of Selene, the loss of leverage—had already been measured, evaluated and assessed.
I chose the path that minimized systemic damage, not because it was noble, but because it was necessary.
I picked this out because I wanted the most efficient path.
The one that promised me results...
Not some kind of stupid miracle people cling to.
Selene tensed behind me, grief already drafting its epitaphs into the air. The urge to shield her was audible in the pitch of her thoughts. Predictable. Useful. Distracting.
Valeria's voice filled the corridor with performative surprise.
"My my, what a surprise.""It turns out someone has been lurking! How fascinating!"
