"Razed to the ground, huh? I'm sorry to hear that. That must have been hard on you," Hughes replied solemnly in a hushed tone. So she really was completely on her own. No family or friends, just a dangerous life of trial and tribulation where her very existence was treated as a plaything.

Maybe he is simply assuming the worst, but Malcolm does not like how Kiara - and by extension, him and Cataleya - have been pulled this way and that lately. Yes, she is the one who defeated Baelsar and continues to slay Primals as they appear, but when will it end?

Will it ever end?

"What's the story behind this scar? It looks like it has a tale to tell." "I can't help but notice the scars on your arms. They seem to have quite the history." "Every scar has a story, right?" "Did this one happen in a battle, or is there a different story behind it?" "Your scars are like a roadmap." "Where did you acquire this scar?" "I've always been curious about your scars." "This scar on your shoulder looks like it's been through something intense. What's the story?" "Scars tell a story of survival. Care to share some of yours with me?" "Scars aren't just wounds; they're badges of honor." "This scar on your hand seems different. What's the story behind it?" "Scars can be reminders of both pain and triumph." "Scars make us who we are." "Scars are like a visual history." "What's the history behind this scar on your back?" "I've been wondering about the stories behind your scars."

With a small smile, Vander shook his head. "Stay as long as you need," he offered. "Jukebox's all yours." Footsteps carried him to his usual place behind the bar, where he pulled one of the clean cloths from beneath the counter, and began the process of ... well, cleaning.

i thought i told you to stay back.

i love you too much to let you get hurt like this.

this affects me, too, you know.

every time you leave, i sit up all night waiting, praying you'll come back alive.

you keep pulling stunts like this and something bad will happen.

do you have a death wish or something?

this isn't fair to me.

i deserve better than this.

i didn't get any sleep last night because i was so worried about you.

you promised me you'd stop going out at night.

i don't like hearing this.

you've been risking your life, and for what? so you can feel like a goddamn hero?

i said i would handle it.

what the fuck are you doing here?

you told me you'd stay put.

so much for laying low.

you remember how bad it was last time.

seems like you haven't learned anything.

i believe you promised me you'd lay low.

i can't keep doing this.

don't give me that look.

we'll discuss this later.

this stops now.

i'm tired of picking up the pieces once you've left.

you keep throwing yourself into danger.

you don't give a shit about yourself, do you?

i'm sitting here, worried out of my mind, while you're out doing god knows what.

that was really stupid of you, and you know it.

i thought you knew better than this.

what's your excuse this time?

you do realize what this does to me, right? seeing you get hurt like this? you know it hurts me, too?

you really don't give a shit how this affects me, huh.

that was the dumbest possible thing you could have done.

i need you to stop throwing yourself into harm's way.

that was completely unnecessary.

they had it handled.

you didn't need to step in like that.

why do you think you're invincible?

the last time you pulled a stunt like this, it nearly got you killed.

i can't just sit here and watch you get hurt.

what are you trying to prove?

you just like fucking with my heart, don't you.

this shit hurts me, too, you know.

you're not the only one affected by this shit.

you've got a lot of people counting on you to come home every night.

what happens if you don't come back?

you think we can just carry on without you?

you think i can handle things if you end up dead?

i'm not sticking around to watch you get hurt.

you're not even slick.

you think you're invincible, don't you.

quit pretending you've got everything under control.

let someone else do it for a change.

you can't keep putting yourself through shit like this and expect me to just sit back and watch.

i'm done with this.

next time you do this, i'm not coming back.

promise me this is the end.

look me in the eyes and tell me you'll stop doing this.

let the authorities deal with it.

you're making a big mistake.

is it worth dying for?