“I've almost got this fire lit," Duncan lied to change the subject. "It's gas,Duncan," Willa told him. "You just turn a knob.""Oh." Duncan did as she said, and a bright flame roared up through the fireplace.”

“Ready?" Tove asked without looking at me. He started walking before I answered."Duncan, you don't need to come with us," I told him as I hurried after Tove. Duncan followed me the way he always did, but he slowed."It's probably best if he does," Tove said, tucking his hair behind his ears."Why?" I asked, but Duncan smiled, excited to be included."We need someone to test on," Tove replied matter-of-factly, and Duncan's smile instantly faded.”

“I've just vowed my love for you. Have you nothing to say in return?" Duncan asked."Thank you, husband.”

“Sophia got up, taking one last look at the extraordinary daughter Councilor Nikita Duncan had borne.”

“Duncan, what are you?""Human!" Duncan cried, trembling with excitement."More specific," Liam said, still dramatically."A five-foot-two human!""I'm going for hero here," Liam hinted under his breath.”

“Duncan,we're still in prison," Frederic said dryly. "You're not going to see anything except this cell. Which has spiders, by the way. Have you noticed the spiders?" "Indeed I have: Carmen, Zippy, and Dr. T," Duncan said.”