Nina blinked in surprise when she found hands, warm but rough, overlaying her own. She looked down at Murphy's hands covering hers and then up at his face. The emotion was written all over his expression, so obvious and heartfelt it was painful to look at, like staring directly into the sun.

They could try and keep them safe. The children. But Nina knew, and Murphy probably knew too deep down inside, that they couldn't be everywhere at once, to stop every bad guy or monster or rampaging, ravaging thing like the one that had caused the carnage the two of them had witnessed on their first night in Landel's.

But Nina saw no point in saying any of that out loud. Instead she just nodded. She even tried to laugh a little. "You don't need to worry about me," she said. "I can take care of myself. I promise. Just focus on taking care of yourself." She appreciated that he would want to look out for her, though. It was a kind gesture.