Laurent glanced over, initially uncomprehending. His eyes flicked over Gansey's face, then he returned his attention to the pages. "My appearance is unnatural," he confessed, saying it without emotion. He'd accepted his face, his fate, his existence down here. "It brings out the worst in men. Cruelty, revulsion, greed."

Laurent trembled once, tormented by memory, and tried to re-focus his attention on the page in front of him. His vision swam.

"It's better if I wear the mask," he said, as if he was still trying to convince himself.