The ice locks itself around me and when I speak my voice is cold and level. “They don’t get to do whatever the fuck they want around here and not face consequences. The fucking police have no fucking clue what they’re up against. But I do. And I’ll deal with it.”

I can’t promise you that I won’t get hurt, but I try to reassure you. “Don’t worry about me, I’m too stubborn to get hurt, and besides . . . if things get too rough, I can always call Éomer. He’s helped before.” I smile at you, hoping you’ll buy it.