Hild made a soft noise of thoughtful agreement, head tilting and gaze slipping away from Freddie as she considered. There was only so much of an advantage that surprise might afford them, and it was a might at that. Hild was not overly familiar with his brand of magic, but Freddie was right; it was powerful.

"You must be very stubborn," she said, her focus returning to Freddie. "To live next to him still, despite what he's done and what he can do."