In this excerpt from "The Calling" by Kelley Armstrong, a tense discussion unfolds among characters about the nature of sacrifice and heroism. One character confronts another, suggesting that their supposed self-sacrifice for Maya and Daniel is a façade, and that they actually slipped rather than chose to let go. This revelation brings into question the motivations of Maya, who seems to have fabricated a narrative of noble sacrifice to cope with the situation, yet Daniel insists that he witnessed the incident firsthand. The conversation takes a lighter turn as they acknowledge that the supposed sacrifice did not lead to death. Despite the serious undertones, the characters share a moment of levity, particularly as Daniel cheekily implies that surviving a supposed heroic act shouldn't tarnish one's reputation. Rafe's laughter and Daniel's smile highlight the camaraderie among them, even as they grapple with the deeper implications of their experiences and choices.