Well, am I forgiven?'Butler sighed. On the chaise lounge, Juliet snored like a drunken sailor. He smiled suddenly.'Yes, Artemis. All is forgiven. Just one thing…''Yes?''Never again. Fairies are too… human.

By the time his vision had settled, the dwarf had disappeared into a maelstrom of churning muck. Butler decided not to attempt pursuit. Dying below ground was not very high on this *things to do* list. But there will be another day, fairy, he thought grimly. And there was to be. But that's another story.

It was no time for mercy, it was time to terminate with extreme prejudice.

Butler snapped his fingers. "Focus, Artemis! Time enough for your Atlantis Complex later. We have the Atlantis Trench outside that door and six miles of water above it. If you want to stay alive, you need to stay alert." He turned to Holly. "This is ridiculous. I'm pulling the plug."Holly's mouth was a tight line as she shook her head. "Navy rules, Butler. You're on my boat, you follow my orders.""As I remember, I brought the boat.""Yes, thanks for bringing my boat.

So, let's make a deal: If you do not voice all the withering comments about the weight or uselessness of this jacket that are no doubt swirling in that big brain of yours, then I will not mention the super-laser episode again. Agreed?"This jacket is really cutting into my shoulders, thought Artemis. And it's so heavy that I could not outrun a slug.But he said, "Agreed.

There were only two men on the planet better educated in the various martial arts than Butler, and he was related to one of them. The other lived on an island in the South China Sea, and spent his days meditating and beating up palm trees. You really had to feel sorry for those goblins.

Why can't we for once have a meeting in Starbucks?

The thing about a diversion is that it has to be diverting.