Kerrel said, "Would you mind very much leaving us alone?"
"Yes. You see, Kerrel, I feel rather possessive about him. It's my fault in a way he's here, and I'm going to look out for him, whether he likes it or not."
"That's fine," Trehearne said. "That puts me right in the middle."
"You're there anyway. Isn't he, Kerrel?"
"Shairn, I don't wish to quarrel with you here—"
"I'm not going to quarrel. I'm only stating a fact. Michael has developed into a very proper Vardda, and I don't intend to have him tucked away on Thuvis until he's done something to warrant it."
Kerrel said, as though it were a statement and not a question, "You're going to make an issue of this."
"I'm going to fight you for him. You need to be fought with, Kerrel. You're getting too sure of practically everything."
He moved until he stood in front of her. Trehearne had never seen anyone so angry, and so thoroughly under control. In that moment he began to understand that Kerrel was a dangerous man. Shairn drew a deep breath and threw her head back, and Trehearne knew that she had thought about this for a long time, planning it, working it out, waiting for the chance, and that she was happy about it. It wasn't himself and whether he lived or died. He was only the convenient peg. This was Kerrel and Shairn and a long situation.
Kerrel said, "I've taken a great deal from you, Shairn, but there's a limit. I've reached it."