"Canon!" I called, eyes widening as Conan quickly tore him from the sling, cradling him in his arms like he was shielding him from a bomb blast. Elder Raff looked frozen in place, his expression flickering between guilt and panic.
"Oh no! Why'd you have to touch me at all?" Conan snapped, rocking Canon in his arms as he wailed loud enough to echo through the damn hall.
The sound stabbed through me like knives. I could tell how shaken Conan was—his hands trembled even as he tried to soothe the baby, his voice tight, almost breathless. I stepped closer, jaw clenched, holding back the urge to throw Raff down the stairs.
"Who would've known there was a baby there?!" Elder Raff hissed, hands raised. "Sorry, alright?!"
"Conan, go to the car," I said quietly, handing him the keys. "It's parked in the usual spot."
