Nova Peak what’s yours is mine.

She would have leapt to safety if she could have.

And she would have.

The dark, slim figure headed toward her took the shape of a missile, and Lilitu couldn't do anything but move slightly sideways before it hit her.

His teeth sank into her shoulder—sidelong, but still enough to tear flesh from bone.

The pain shot white-hot through her, but all the while she was thinking of—

Sobo, who'd tried to keep the bear at bay.

Erzulie, who put herself on the line.

Lilitu sank into those memories, found those bodies, and felt—as the madman found her body—as if she'd found her purpose. 

They'd protected others. Now she would, too.

GET THE KIDS AWAY FROM HIM! she shrieked, before turning her body toward Riley, taking his blow after blow, putting herself between his rage and those innocent babes.

What frightened her spurred her on. She could make a difference, even if it meant her own life.

She wheeled and aimed for the man's nape, desperate to grab it.