Again, he makes that discomfited sound, flexing his spine against Ren's back. "That doesn't necessarily make him stronger than any of the rest of us. You and I are as strong as Crow at this point. All of us who went through the Palace are. And we have the benefit of not being goddamned cops."

He almost spits that last. "But ... Ren, you know ultimately it's your call, right? You're the leader on this one."