Irene, feeling overwhelmed by emotion, launched into a long, impassioned speech, pleading for Jace to stand by her side. But she underestimated Jace's intelligence.
Jace did like her, but he was acutely aware of the seriousness of their current situation. Ignoring Irene's words, he tore a strip of cloth from his clothes, quickly bandaged her wound, and then dragged her along to catch up with the group led by Kendall.
"Jace! She bullied me! Why didn't you speak up for me?" Irene's voice was shrill with frustration.
"Jace! You promised to protect me! Were you lying?"
"Jace..." Irene's resistance was fierce, her voice high-pitched and unrelenting, with no sense of reason at all.
"Enough! Shut up! She didn't bully you; you're being completely unreasonable!" Jace finally snapped, his patience worn thin. He looked directly into Irene's eyes and for the first time, he saw her clearly.
