After the disaster that was my childhood, after working so hard to become the most effective agent possible, I'd assumed that my emotional capacity had been stunted or seized up, like my heart was a muscle left dormant for so long that it no longer functioned as it should - if it ever did. I knew I could love, in a sense, and felt great affection for many people, things, but never to the extent I saw in others.

At least, I thought this much.

In an alarmingly short span of time, I came to realise this was self-imposed. I had deluded myself to protect myself, using my role as an excuse to craft my own shield. I can already feel the cracks growing wider, deeper.

Edward is incredibly special. Now the others need to see just how.

I have a great deal of work to do to help them on their way.