"I've been in worse battles," Kell promises, thinking of Holland, of Athos and Astrid Dane. If he can face monsters like that and their puppets alike, he can face whatever nonsense Darrow has made to hunt them. "I won't use my blood unless I must."

Looking down, Kell checks that the sheathes beneath his wrist cuffs still contain their metal spikes. He would prefer not to kill anyone today, but if it becomes necessary, it's only because their enemies have made it so. "I'm ready."