[ There are a hundred different things he could say. But in the end, looking at Azem, looking at Rhea'li standing just beyond them and seeing two identical souls, all he has to say in their defence dies on his tongue. Except for this: ]

Rhea'li is more than your 'familiar', [ he says quietly. ] Rhea'li is you. He is the piece of you that was sundered all those thousands of years ago. Eight parts rejoined out of fourteen.

[ He looks away. ] 'Twould have been nine...had he not stopped me.