[Ianthe plucked a feather free, her magic pulling it painlessly from the flesh, to show Alina what they looked like.]

It's possible. [Doubtful.] My magic can't differentiate between monster and not monster. They both feel the same to me. I wouldn't be able to tell.

[Except the timing felt off. Ianthe couldn't bring herself to burst this little bubble of hope, even though she probably should. Stupid fucking feelings.]