“We don't have time to coddle her now.

She's going to have to toughen up or get out of the way," he said carefully, then moved to cut off Red when he saw genuine anger flashing behind her eyes.

“And you know I wouldn't say something Like that if this wasn't so fuckin' serious."

Red looked torn, then turned on her heel and left to go get Jane, and Tarloh breathed a sigh of relief.

"I thought she was going to punch you," Talia muttered.

"Me too," he replied.

Natasha looked at them both.

"Okay, who the fuck is Jane?"

Jane was curled up in a fetal position next to the bed when Red stormed in. She saw that Red was angry, and instinctively assumed it because of her.

Red saw her lover cringe.

“Stop that!" she started, then caught herself.

"I. . . Jane, I need you to get up off the floor. We need to talk."

Jane didn't want to stand. She wanted Red to kneel down and comfort her. But Red wasn't going to budge, so Jane slowly crawled up onto the bed and sat down.

"Jane, practice is over. Whatever Tarloh found out about, apparently it's the big time. That means you're going to have to suck it up.

You know I want to help you, but we need you to be a grown up now.

When whatever it is that is goin’ on is done, I'll help you fight your demons. But right now, we need you to help us fight ours," Red finished.

Jane tried to steel her shoulders. She had destroyed that demon and though it had deserved it, she was afraid of how it had felt the pure hatred she had felt as she ended the monster's mortal existence. And she had never even seen its face . . . she had seen a familiar, hated countenance from the past she strove to forget.

Red's face softened against her will.

"This is your home now," she said softly.

"Defend it. If the Strays mean anything to you if I mean anything to you . . . then you'll be strong for me now." Red hated doing that . . . it felt like a cheap shot, but it seemed to work. Jane stood up, showing a little more strength, but Red was about to challenge her again.

"And so you know, Natasha is here.

Tarloh and Talia brought her back with them."

Jane's fists clenched, but whether from anger or tension, Red couldn't tell.

“Let's go. . ." the girl whispered.