Crozier’s expression hardens. It feels personal somehow, as thought Raju expects Crozier will be the one to get someone killed with that line of thinking. It leaves an unpleasant taste in his mouth, and it battles with the part of his brain that knows Raju would never jump to attack him, least of all without reason. He can’t help but perceive it that way, and he feels that negative cloud inside of him multiply with every passing second.

“I’m not naive,” he snaps, palm hitting the table with a little more force than intended. Here’s his chance to be apologetic, but the anger twists the perceived dagger further. “I know what’s at stake, and I know a threat from something benign.

“But I won’t lose my humanity. I refuse to live that way. Children are never the enemy.”