Blackwater Islands Pure intention juxtaposed

She would show him; his curiosity grew. The demon followed the listener to her cave, the place where her children slept. She trusted him enough to be there, and it was surprising for some reason. Maybe because he hardly stopped to think about the bonds that were forming here. He was resistant to forming bonds because he didn't need things to make him weak. It was bad enough he felt responsible for his brother. But it seemed sometimes, he didn't have as much control over his life as he thought he did.

She brought him to the altar where the stone sat. He had seen her clutch it close that day when the ocean returned her to them. Tulok hadn't known how important it was until now. It was both her curse and her source of power. How did you overcome the pain? he asked.