“It towers above us, dark an jagged an dangerous. Behind it, more mountains stretch as far's the eye can see.Is this th'only way to Freedom Fields? I says.No, says Jack. I brought you this way because I thought you'd enjoy the scenery.”

“Pretty dark in there, says Ash. Did you git lost? I feel a hot flush crawl up my neck. Lucky for me, Hermes trots over an I busy myself strokin his neck. It uh . . . took us longer than we thought to put out the fire, says Jack.”

“I'm gonna hafta kiss you, Jack, I says.I wish you would, he says.”

“We're bein cut asunder, Lugh an me.BitBy bit.An it makes me think.It makes me wonder.Is this how he feels when he sees me with Jack? Do I look at Jack the way Lugh looks at Maev?Helpess.Throat bared.Hopeless.”

“Don’t worry, says Ike, I didn’t do yer pretty face no harm. I should of though. After what you done to me.He glares at Jack an Jack actually looks shame-faced. Ike jabs him in the chest with a big meaty finger.You left me, you sonofabitch, he says, hangin upside down, stark naked, with all them women in their—Jack grabs his hand. Not now, Ike, he says. We’ll talk about it later.”

“Jack grins. Anyways, Saba likes to look at my bare chest.Lugh looks at me. Frowns. Is that a fact? he says.I feel myself go bright red. It is not a fact, I says. You stinker, Jack.”

“Be with me, Jack, I says. Burn with me. Shine with me. I'll stay till moonpath fades, he says.”