Somehow, the story isn't as damning as Colin had dismissively believed during these months. He'd assumed Benedict stayed in Minrathous because he managed to get away from Riftwatch. That his connections here weren't strong enough for him not to return to his own kind. That he didn't like Colin as much as Colin liked him.

When Benedict calls attention to the shard, Colin reaches out to take his hands and steady them.

"I don't think I like your mother much," he says coolly.