“And I’m not spying! I’m evaluating!”“It’s the same difference!”

“It’s not an important case, and you’ll have to wait, he said. I’m busy. Is there anything else you want to bitch about? - Minias”

“Ah, Jenks? It’s not a lake, it’s a friggin’ freshwater ocean. Did you see the size of the tanker going under the bridge when we came into town? The wake from it could tip us. I’m not canoeing it unless your name is Pocahontas.”

“I didn’t mean now,” he protested. “I’m not going to raise the child. I’m having enough trouble with Rachel.”

“I handed it over, and Jenks stumbled at the weight. His head thunked into the wall of the narrow hallway. “Bloody hell!” he exclaimed, crashing into the opposite wall when he overcompensated. “I’m all right!” he said quickly, waving off any help. “I’m all right. Sweet mother of Tink, the damn walls are so close! It’s like walking in a freaking anthill.”

“Of course I’m shielding her, you broken feather!”

“I’m your worst nightmare come to walk this side of the lines. I’m an elf, Trent something you’re forgotten how to be. You’re scared of black magic. I can see fear shimmering under your aura like sweat. I live and breathe black magic. I’m so tainted with it that I will use it without thought, without guilt and without hesitation.”