Cassian's POV
"It's okay. I know you could never hurt a soul as innocent as this boy," she says.
And she walks off toward the exit of the building, leaving the palace behind. She barely ever leaves. When she does, it's usually just a few times — and I always guess she's going to visit her friend, Rachel.
But this time feels different.
She doesn't believe me.
It's written all over her expression — that faint argument she gives before admitting she believes me.
I've hurt people before. She knows that. That's the weight against me. I know you would never hurt a soul as innocent as this boy.
She keeps looking back at me, walking faster, almost running. And that look on her face — is it fear? Or pity for the boy?
But I don't touch him. I don't use my claws on him. I don't throw him into the fire. The fire burns, but he isn't inside. It's just a stupid show of authority for the council members. The blood on my clothes isn't his — it's from a rodent I killed.
