It felt...weird speaking to him like this.  She was so used to the bravado and the sarcasm that sincerity almost looked like a lie...Or like a well-tailored suit he wore with grace but it was clear it was completely uncomfortable on him.  He also confirmed her assumptions about her book.  His intent was to take it and take her for the fool he probably assumed she was.  Lane tried to process that.  Were his motives justification enough for his actions?  His daughter was clearly in danger, but did make the collateral damage that would come with his attempt to save her okay?  She supposed to him it probably didn't matter.  His focus seemed singular.  Save Mia.  Stop the demon and save Mia.<br/><br/>Their eyes met and for a moment she thought their lips might follow.  A deep part of her craved that, as if it would be a kiss in a fairy tale, one that would heal all the wrongdoing and fix all their problems.  She knew better than that.  Had he leaned in, she would have pulled back.<i>  “You’re going to be mine, you know that?”  </i>His words from the other evening echoed in her head as he admitted his feelings for her.  Lane took in a deep breath, steadying herself for what she needed to say next.<br/><br/>"Don't ever do that again.  If you ever do something like that to me again, I'll be gone.  Forever."  It was as much a promise to herself as it was a warning to him.  He had crossed the line she had, a line she had let too many men cross over and over in the past.  No more of that.   She could not be sure if it was simply this experience or the awakening of the power within her, but either way, there was now a strength within her that she had not possessed before.<br/><br/>"James, I'm not the kind of person who's going to leave an innocent girl swinging in the wind.   You wouldn't have had me test my abilities if you didn't think they would be useful in some way.  So use them.  I want to help and honestly, from the state you've been in the last few times I saw you..."  She sighed and closed her eyes, pushing out the words.  "...If you go this alone, I think it will likely be the end of your long life."  He still looked as if the vitality was slowly seeping out of him, as if he were slowly fading away from this world.  He would be no match for the demoness and hardly a match for whatever the Syndicate had planned.<br/><br/>"I'll meet with the woman who leads the Syndicate to ensure your daughter is under your care and that they upload their end of our bargain.  Nora will make sure the book is safe.  She's resourceful.  She can probably help keep Mia out of the hands of this demoness too, if we need her to.  Then we can stop this...thing... you made a deal with and protect your kid."