“Oh, drop the act, Tinkerbell, and get rid of my problem. Then we’ll talk.”

“Who says we need the walls back up? You're roaches, we're Raid. We'll get rid of you eventually.”

“Tell them, Gabrielle,” Adam urged impatiently.Blinking, Gabby nodded. “I have one of the, er… fairies here with me –”“Tuatha Dé,” Adam corrected irritably. “You’re bloody well making me sound like Tinkerbell.”

“Werewolves? Oh please, just plain stupid. Who wants to get it on with a man ruled by his inner dog?”

“I began to cry.Barrons looked horrified. "Stop that immediately, Ms. Lane.""I can't." I sniffeled into my cup pf cocoa so he couldn't see my face."Try harder!"I gave a great sniff and shudder, and turned it off."I have not been her lover for...some time," he offered, watching me carefully."Oh, get over yourself!”

“Oh, please," I rolled my eyes, "You're a leftie, Barrons.""Touche, Ms. Lane," he murmured.”

“-and nobody’s getting laid!” I practically shouted.“You think I don’t know that?” He shifted his body beneath me, making me painfully aware of something. Two somethings, in fact, one of which was how far up my short skirt was. The other wasn’t my problem. I wriggled, to shimmy my hem down, but his expression perished the thought. When Barrons looks at me like that, it rattles me. Lust, in those ancient, obsidian eyes, offers no trace of humanity. Doesn’t even bother trying.”