"I spent a long time asking myself the same thing. But the worst of it Was over, after that expedition. We made it out alive. More of us than should have, considering the reckless inexperienced sign-ons we had for a team. That was when we took a turn for the better."

There's no way of knowing if it was a lie. If it was just a test to see how high the mortal would jump if instructed to just right. But the timing of it keeps coming back to Natasha's mind. How hopeless their situation looked, to anyone working behind the scenes even a little. Natasha remembers Steve collapsing and not waking back up during one of his shifts clearing snow.

"I do. I think, whether it was Reynard we were appeasing or something else doesn't matter. A price needed to be paid. What it gains them I couldn't tell you. But I know what it cost."

It's something Natasha has to live with now. Something she can't blame Blaze or any of her comrades from holding against her until possibly long after she dies.