“Wow. Nice bike,” I said. Which was a lie. It looked like a glossy black death trap.”

“Nice costume," he said. "Ditto. I can tell you put a lot of thought into yours."Amusement curled his mouth. "If you don't like it, I can take it off.”

“Step one: Invade your opponet's mind. This is just like using mind-speak. Try it on me.""That's easy," I said, casting my mental nets toward Dante, ensnaring his mind, and pushing words into his conscious thought. I'm in your mind, having a look around, and it's awfully empty in here.Wiseacre, Dante returned. Nobody says that anymore. Speaking of which, how old are you in Nephilim years? I'd never thought to ask. I swore fealty during Napoleon's invasion of Italy-my homeland.And that was in what year...? Help me out. I'm not a history buff.Dante smiled. 1796.Wow. You're old.”

“Something doesn't look right," Vee said. "Is the tire supposed to look like that?"I banged my head against the nearest tree trunk."So we've got a flat," Vee said. "What now?”

“I need to brush my teeth. And I need a shower."He grinned, hopping off the bike. "Now that is an invitation.”

“We need a ride. We're stranded.""We still have two legs, leftie and rightie. Mine are in the mood for exercise. They feel like a nice long walk--ARE YOU CRAZY?" she shrieked. I was standing with the tip of the beach umbrella aimed at the driver's-side window. "What?" I said. "We have to get in.”

“Nice costume," he said."Ditto. I can tell you put alot of though into yours."Amusement curled his mouth. "If you don't like it, I can take it off."I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "That just might be the best proposal I've had all night.""My offers are always the best, Angel.”