I decide that we could always indulge ourselves later. First, I had a soul-eating stone of power to poke with a stick.

Tam considers me a challenge. I consider Tam a work in progress. I also think there's a gentleman lurking under that calculating exterior. Tam thinks 'gentleman' is a dirty word. I talk dirty to Tam every chance I get.

The road that went around and between the buildings hadn’t been plowed, but Yasha didn’t let that slow him down.He grinned at me in the rearview mirror. “No problem. Is like Siberia.”“You’ve never been to Siberia,” Ian said, his eyes still scanning for any movement other than our own.“True. But does not mean is not like Siberia.

I knew there was evil in the world. Death and taxes were all necessary evils.So was shopping.“I hate shopping,” I muttered.“Of course you do,” Phaelan said. “You’re a Benares. We’re not used to paying for anything.