"You're brilliant and brave and more capable than you give yourself credit for. But this is what I was made for. What I've done for longer than you can imagine. And I will not risk you in the process."
"Then take Dane and Sofia. They're resistance fighters; they have experience—"
"With running and hiding from witch squads. Not with walking into organized ambushes."
He moved closer, his expression softening. "I need you here. Safe. With Kate. Making sure that if this goes wrong, there's someone who knows what happened and can make appropriate decisions."
Martha wanted to argue. He could see it in her face, the way her jaw tightened and her hands clenched. But she was also rational enough to recognize when an argument was already lost.
"If you're not back by morning," she said finally, "I'm going to that address myself. And I'm bringing every piece of equipment and firepower I can assemble."
"Fair enough."
