Magnus is expecting me to have an answer. And why shouldn't he? I'm the one who makes more of the decisions in this relationship, and there's no reason for this time to be an exception. The problem is that this is a different challenge than any we have faced before. It's a very strange choice, the sort of thing I would have laughed at if someone asked me the hypothetical question, because in what crazy world would something like that even be possible?

But apparently, it's possible here. It's always possible in Darrow.

I pat his shoulders when I'm done so that he can relax. (I'm always very grateful that he stays still for the styling, but I imagine it's part of why his muscles are always so stiff.)

"Well... I don't see a need for us to go through the breach, really. We definitely shouldn't be in the first group that goes over, that just feels foolish and risky," I say, frowning and raising my hand to my chin in thought. "But it could be worth finding out if anyone we know is on the other side. Who knows, maybe our parents are there. So maybe we ask around our friends, see if any of them are making the leap over by choice. Ask them to keep an eye out for people we know."