Flashback ( PDFDrive )

The way he emphasized certain words made her wonder if this was
his subtle way of letting her know that he hadn’t been fooled by
Tarina’s explanation for their Trollish conversation.
But if it was, he didn’t say.
He just reached for her good hand and told her, “I realize how
tricky it is to be the moonlark, dealing with classified secrets when
you have bodyguards shadowing you and parents asking too many
questions. And we never want to get in the way—or put you in a
position where you feel forced to lie to us. So we want to make you a
deal: If you promise to keep someone informed about whatever you
have going on—and I mean an adult with a little more experience, not
just one of your friends—the rest of us, including your bodyguards,
will trust you to handle it and try our best not to ask you questions.
I’m sure we won’t always be able to stop ourselves from trying to
figure out what you’re up to. But if we start to get in your way, tell us
and we’ll back off. And know that if you choose to rely on either of
us”—he pointed to himself and Edaline—“you don’t have to worry that
we’ll judge you or punish you for anything going on. Our help comes
with no strings attached, and it’s always there if you want it.”
“Thank you,” Sophie whispered, tightening her grip on his hand.
“Sandor seriously agreed to that?”
“I did,” Sandor called from the hallway.
“But I thought secrets hinder your ability to protect me,” she
reminded him.
“They do,” he agreed. “But . . . our situation has changed now that
I’m not your sole protector. So I’m willing to allow that you might
need to be more careful about what you share. But”—he peeked his
head through the doorway—“part of the reason that works is because