Flashback ( PDFDrive )

She wondered if Magnate Leto was feeling the same way, because
he removed a handkerchief from his cape pocket and grabbed an elixir
from one of the shelves, soaking the cloth in the green liquid before he
handed it to Sandor.
“I realize there’s nothing I can say to convince you not to hold
yourself accountable,” he said quietly. “And in many ways, that
dedication is what makes you an excellent bodyguard. But if you let
them get in your head, you’re helping them accomplish what they
intended today. The Neverseen want us scrambling and afraid,
doubting ourselves and changing all of our protocols—”
“We should be changing our protocols!” Sandor growled. “We
should be changing everything!”
“I’m not saying adjustments won’t need to be made,” Magnate Leto
clarified. “But don’t let that make you forget that today was a victory.
Not a perfect one, no. But in the end, the Neverseen still fled emptyhanded,
and everyone they attacked will make a full recovery.”
“And you’re the reason they fled,” Sophie reminded Sandor. “They
saw you charging for them and knew they’d be dead if Ruy couldn’t
shield them.”
Sandor squeezed the cloth so hard, green drops splattered his feet.
“Letting them get away only means I’ve given them a chance to come
after you again!”
“But you’ll be better prepared when they do,” Magnate Leto assured
him. “We all will.”
Sandor shook his head, and his gray eyes were brimming with tears
as he made his way to Sophie’s side and studied her bandages. “I’m
sorry I failed you, Miss Foster.”
“You didn’t—”