"No, absolutely not." I gripped Clara's shoulders firmly, looking directly into her eyes. "That is never happening."
Her small face crumpled with confusion. "But Mr. Liam, if my body is so valuable—"
"Clara." My voice softened but remained resolute. "You are not a resource to be used. Not by Flores, not by me, not by anyone."
Tears welled in her eyes. "But what if someone else tries to take me? What if they're stronger than you?"
I knelt to her level, my heart breaking for this child who'd been forced to confront such darkness. "Then I'll become even stronger to protect you."
"But I could help you fight Dashiell Blackthorne," she insisted. "If what that man said is true, you could use my dark energy to—"
"Stop." I cut her off gently but firmly. "Listen to me very carefully, Clara. True strength doesn't come from exploiting others. That path leads to becoming like Flores—and I'd rather die than become that kind of monster."
