“Now the tattoos," Zia announced."Brilliant!" I said."On your tongue," she added."Excuse me?”
“Oh, god,” I said. “Sorry, sorry. Do I die now?”--Sadie to Zia”
“My name is Zia Rashid.” She tilted her head as if listening.Right on cue, the entire building rumbled. Dust sprinkled from the ceiling, and the slithering sounds of scorpion doubled in volume behind us.“And right now,” Zia continued, sounding a bit disappointed, “I must save your miserable lives.”
“Excuse me, I said. I thought you were a trout stream.I'm not, she said.”
“I'll let you and Zia have some quality time," she told me. "Just the two of you and your coat.”
“I woke to a bucket of ice water in my face.“Sadie! Get up,” Zia said.“God!” I yelled. “Was that necessary?”“No,” admitted Zia.”