Surprising now began to sound like an understatement. It explained, perhaps, some of his reaction to her intent to look for another solution. Raine took her time answering, mentally slotting the pieces into the larger picture as she did so. A sort of separation between those who could and could not use magic was not unexpected, she supposed, and while Solomon's opinion on the Temple itself might have changed, the idea of death as something to be fought rather than accepted probably had not. That request really did mean much more than she'd grasped initially, didn't it.

"I... think I understand. But the alternative, more likely than not, involves killing everyone here," Raine said at length. "And letting the enemy win is not acceptable. In this context, it may be the only reasonable option currently available." It made sense, given how fragile their situation was, and exactly how much damage Solomon could cause if unchecked. Not something chosen lightly, but all that could be chosen.