Lane was ready to spit more angry words at him, but then she saw his demeanor change at the mention of the Syndicate.  She had expected more bravado, but instead, she thought she saw actual fear in his eyes.  She had never seen that haunted expression before and before she could get a word in edgewise, Nora stepped forward.  The brunette also had something in her eyes, like fire or brimstone or lava or something equally dangerous.<br/><br/>"Are you fucking kidding me, bro?"  Nora pointed a hard finger at him and brought it forward as if to pin it to his chest.  "I didn't drag her into this...YOU<i>dragged</i>her into this.  I know what the Syndicate is and I know enough about you that when she called me, I got in the car and came immediately.<i>You </i>are the reason the Syndicate attempted to recruit her last night.<i>  I</i>am the reason she's not going anywhere near them once this shit with you is done.  We clear?  Like, crystal clear?"<br/><br/>This was why she loved Nora.  The woman had a rough edge and a death wish, but she was loyal and blunt as fuck.  Yes, Lane could tear demons asunder with her bare hands, but she didn't have the gift for laying things out as evenly as Nora did and she probably never would.  Lane took a deep breath and shook her head.  She sat down, but Nora continued to stand even after she backed off, arms crossed in front of her.  The darker-haired woman continued to scowl in James' direction, making no attempts to hide her disdain.<br/><br/>"She told me what they are.  I don't need to know the story of how they fucked with you or your family.  You don't give a fuck about me, remember?  She does--"  Lane said, nodding her head toward Nora.  "Just give me the book and I'm out of it.  Done with all of it.  Done with whatever fucked up shit you have going on and done with them...."  She still didn't understand how he could act as if what he had said, what they had done, was some casual fling.  Even Adella's memories didn't help her understand that mystery.  He had loved her in that past life, loved her deeply.  Perhaps the last few centuries had pulled all his tenderness and care from him.  Either way, this just couldn't be her problem anymore.<br/><br/>"You want me out?  Give me the book and I'm gone.  You never have to see me again and you can figure out whatever you do or don't want to with the Syndicate."  She blinked and realized there were tears in her eyes.  She was begging him to let her go, to let her be free of whatever mess he had pulled her into.