The look that Billy had when he answered almost made her stop. There was something rather soul-crushing about seeing someone who was usually so chipper and upbeat being defeated by circumstances. Still, the gnashing of teeth reminded her of the reason behind it all, and with a defeated sigh of her own, she let loose. The face of the creature was consumed with rage and hunger, and Valkyrie told herself that the person behind it was lost to the beast already. She hoped it was true, because an instant later, everything upwards of the clavicle was vaporised.

"I'm sorry," she said, and though she was talking in the direction of the corpse, she knew that Billy would hear just fine. "But that's how it needs to be done."