Zubair never took his eyes off Sera as she strolled out of Hope Sanctuary like she hadn't just destroyed someone's world.
She didn't pause at the three entrance posts. She didn't acknowledge the heavy walls of rock, earth, and reinforced metal meant to intimidate newcomers into obedience. She passed them without a glance and stepped into the open plains beyond, where a long line of people still waited to be let inside.
Families. Individuals. A few groups clustered around carts and battered vehicles. They stood in the sun with patience that bordered on denial, still believing that the gates would open if they waited long enough.
Fools, his creature muttered. They think walls mean safety. They think permission matters. It's really too bad that Sera has completely destroyed the one thing in this world that they were counting on.
Sera slowed.
She smiled at the first family in line.
"I wouldn't," she said pleasantly.
