[That thread holding his own temper, already bare from their earlier near-conversations and circular argu,nets, finally snaps.]

Yes you are, Kate!

[He tears his eyes from their spot on the floor, thrusting them toward her with unbridled vehemence. One eye burns as ink wells beneath it, but the fires in his chest are so hot that they draw all his focus. With no restraint, the words pour from him.]

You are important to Glacius, and your godforsaken Clinic! You are important to me! Does that even matter to you?! Or is my word worth so little to you that you'll be thrilled when I'm gone?! Do you- D'you think I wanted to find out you'd died secondhand? Or watch my partner absolutely destroy himself in your absence? He blamed himself for Emily's death and I've no doubt he'll do even worse over yours! At least you can- at least you don't have to die here! You don't have to think about what's going to happen when there is nothing left of you and you're leaving someone behind, because have you ever thought of that?!

[He only stops there because he finally has to paw at the ink coming out of his eye, the vile liquid searing him worse than any tears.]