... Melloi and Reyna had a deal: that if either of them was picked to be a Blotter, they'd kill the other.

[and again, that same, grim smile.]

I promised Reyna that I'd get away with it and win this. That I'd bring everyone back. That's all the more reason I can't fail now—I've literally killed for this purpose.

[... which he's in no way happy about, but it doesn't matter. he's long since given up on something as fragile as "happiness".]