"Once a traitor, always a traitor."

The words bit.

They stung his skin, like needles. Millions of tiny, razor sharp needles.

He glared at the speaker with needless fury. And the speaker glared back.

"I come here to offer help..." He's seething, now, his fury bubbling up like magma. And it won't die down.

"We don't need it."

"How can you be so sure?"

"We don't. We don't trust you. Why should we?"

"Can you afford NOT to trust me?"

"Yes, we can." Golden eyes cut into him. "We can ignore you. We can live." She starts to leave.

"Fine, die. See if I care. But I have proof." He waits for her to turn.

She turns.

He pulls out the book. She looks from it, to him, then back again.

"What...?"

"Read it."