There was a heavy moment of realization. Good Creator Above, this hawk sounded like a child and he'd been tortured...?

"Multiple times," Alastor said. "My last ninety years could be considered that -- it isn't called 'Eternal Torment' for nothing -- but my living existence had some dark moments I'd rather not go into detail about. And that isn't even getting into what the old frayed wires come up with when my mind decides to drift."

He hesitated on answering the question.