“Torture?” she asked with a laugh. “My first piece of information I’ll divulge to you? I wouldn’t recommend trying to torture me. I dislike it and grow sulky under pincers. It’s a fault.”

“When his thumb hovered over the red button, she stared at him aghast. “You’re truly going to … torture me?”He cast her a puzzled look. “Why wouldn’t I torture you?”Because you used to love me, used to cherish me. “I thought we had a moment yesterday? Didn’t you like seeing me in lingerie?”In a monotone voice, he said, “Why did the charge throwers have no ill effect on you?”He’s truly going to do it? Then fuck him. DEFCON. “Chase, I’ve tussled with vibrators stronger than your charge throwers.”No reaction. “You consumed energy. And channeled it at will. How?”All Valkyrie consumed it—they were each connected through a grid of mystical energy—but Regin was the only one she knew of who could radiate it through her body. She’d inherited the talent from her birth mother. “So how does one get started as a magister? College or trade school?”“I don’t have the time or patience for games. Now, tell me, why do you … glow?”“I touched a radioactive alien cock once.”He pressed the button.”

“For the record," she continued, "it's not my fault I came in here looking like Chesty LaRue. You caught me on laundry day, so I have no undergarments on. Though I will cop to a little extra spring in my step for your benefit.”

“Cadeon, can you hear me?"He didn't open his eyes. "Nothing wrong with my ears.""Of course not." She laid the cloth on his forehead. "So . . you and Tera seemed close.""Been through a lot.""Was she your girlfriend?"He gave a laugh that sounded like a grunt. "Not at all.""And you really didn't sleep with Imatra?""Bloody hell, noooo, I didn't . . . She's a slag.""Then why did you kiss her?" Holly asked."Directions. . . and to see.""To see what?""That it wouldn't be all that bad without you."This was interesting. "Did you make a determination?"He gave a bitter laugh. "It'll be all that bad."Oh, Cadeon. "You've known I was your female for a year?" He nodded. "Why I would be chosen for you?""Fate decides . . . who I can be most satisfied with."Nibbling her lip, she asked, "Have you slept with anyone else since you knew it was me?""Gave a halfhearted try for a witch . . . she wanted a werewolf instead."There was no getting around it--Holly was jealous of the witch.But then Cadeon said, "And I wanted you.”

“How do you plan to keep me here during the day? An unblooded Forbearer shouldn’t be so hard to vanquish.”Vanquished by her? Amusing. “I’ll send you back to the cell. You want to be my pet? I’ll take you out and put you back in your cage at my pleasure.”She blinked at him. “You don’t want to send me back. Who will entertain you? I can deal poker and make shadow animals.”

“Regin to Declan:"Lemme guess," Regin said. "You had your introductory spiel all planned, but rational thought deserted you when you saw me stroll in braless."----"For the record," She continued, "it's not my fault I came in here looking like Chesty LaRue. You caught me on laundry day, so I have no undergarments on. Though I will cop to a little extra spring in my step for your benefit.”

“This is the first time I've really looked at my reflection in months." To the Lykae [Bowen], she said, "No wonder you love me. Could I be any cuter?”