“Valkyrie, I will get answers from you one way or another. Either through this painful exercise in futility, as you believe, or through a civilized conversation.""You call this civilized?" She strained against her cuffs, leaning in to whisper, "Psst, Chase. The sexual tension between us is grueling.”

“She murmured, "You're unfinished.""Aye, precisely.""I need to go."When she moved to get up, he shoved her against his side and slapped her arse to keep her there. "You stay with me."She snapped, "What do you want from me, Chase?"He drew his head back in confusion. "I want everything. You're mine, Regin.”

“You're a fuckin' parasite." I could never become a vampire. Filthy leeches."Words still hurt, Chase. Besides, you should be thanking me. My advice about the Valkyrie clearly worked. And speaking of females, if I call you by one's name while my fangs are plunged deep in your neck, just run with it.”

“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.”

“nix: "Do it, or the pictures go live!"Witch shakes her fist at the sky, crying, "Damn you, Valkyrie! Damn you and your digital ways!”

“Everything between us is sick... twisted. And it doesn’t have to be.”“Shh, shh.” He rocked her in his arms. Never had he comforted another in such a manner. He was awkward with this as well.“I h-hate you s-so much.” She sobbed so hard her body quaked against him, her tears wetting his chest.“I know.”

“With a sigh, she asked, “Why do you care if I believe you or not?”“Because if you think I got a leg over with that slag, then the chance of anything sexual with you will be drastically reduced.”Without looking up, she said, “Cadeon, a chance can’t be reduced from zero.”“Gods, I love it when you talk mathy to me.”