[ Sturmhond’s mouth tightens. Of course, Athos’ friends. They’d be as loyal to him as Athos is to them, which Sturmhond happens to know goes beyond what most people have any right to expect.

He shakes his head. ]

Then prevent them, Athos. It will make things worse. Elena told me that she would try to stop him from being a danger, but she won’t suffer him to be threatened. She’d defend him herself, in that case.

[ Then a sigh, an unhappy one. ]

And so would Seth, a man whom I thought a friend. He’s not one. He contacted me after, said Elena reacted poorly to what I said. Confirmed that he would kill me before he’d see me put Stefan at risk. Go against him, and you’d be dealing with all three of them. I never wanted that. I don’t want this to turn into a fight. The Instructors won’t stand for it, and I don’t want to see you or your friends harmed in the effort.