[he shifts a little in response and goes silent for a moment before shaking his head.]

I wouldn't put it past them, not in the least. [the underlying bitterness in his tone quickly replaces the more prominent anger, and he pulls away just far enough to be able to look at her again.] They could send others away at random, but I wouldn't be surprised if they targeted the ones with the most to lose just to fuel the fire. They're after whatever inspires genuine emotion, isn't that so? That's all they're after.