Despair speaks clearly enough for Vasran to hear, and though the sound of its voice makes her stomach clench, she pushes the thoughts aside. A Seeker's duty must be grim, from time to time. It's no more than the cost of responsibility.

"Don't let it tell you that. Don't believe it." Months ago, she wouldn't have dreamed of telling a Seeker their business when it came to demons. For the moment, the fever's broken down whatever barrier to that sort of talk still remaining. "You must have done what you had to."