Belle forced her breath to stay steady, even as his grip tightened on her and his eyes grew dark. She knew whatever rage was consuming him wasn't meant for her, but she hardly wanted it directed at Michael, either. Not when he'd done so much to help people, possibly at some future risk to himself.
"Because he's helped me--all of us who've defied the Council in some way. He's sheltered the children who've left the guardians the state assigned to them, everyone--and he's hasn't forced their teachings on any of us. He truly just wants to help us out of the goodnes of his heart."
She bit her lip for a second, "I know that's hard to believe, I was--reluctant at first as well. But I've seen it for myself. He's a good man."