They came out in a dim, damp basement - a generic sort of place, full of moulding boxes. 'You take me to the nicest places,' Claire said, and sneezed.

Well, friend, I don't know about your tastes, but I tend to like it very bloody,— Myrnin said. He shifted position, dragging Claire along like a rag doll without any effort at all. "Have we been introduced?""Probably not. Why, are you asking me out, sweetheart?""You're not my type, darling. Is this one yours?""No," Frank said, and looked at Shane, just in a quick flicker. —Let's say she's a friend of the family.

I never meant it, he was saying. Never meant it to happen. Can't stand it,seeing her suffer. Must do something, do something... What do I do? What can I do...?

I'm faster than the rest of you, if .. Because I'm a vampire,— Michael said, and it was some kind of breakthrough for him to say that. "If you get in trouble, I'll be there.""Nice," Shane said. "I'm warming up to this bloodsucking thing, Mikey.""No, you're not."—Okay, no, I'm not, but right now let's pretend I am.

I think so,— she [Claire] said. "Just watch your back, okay?" "Nah, Michael's got mine." He [Shane] looked straight into her eyes.—I've got yours.

Yes, he said. I am sure. I double-checked everything after you went home yesterday. I even made a few improvements, just in case. The first part of that reassured her. The second part... not so much. What kind of improvements? Oh, nothing, really. Mostly just streamlining. You really did very well; I certainly don't want you to think that I am one of those people who has to be in control all the- Oh, well, I suppose that's actually true- I do have to be in control all the time. But only because I am in charge, of course.

[Myrnin to Claire about their costumes of Pierrot and Harlequin, respectively]Don't they teach you anything in your sch

How'd you get to be so good at this?I had a good teacher.Better not have been Myrnin or I'll have to kick his predatory ass.I mean you, dummy.Oh.

Claire was struggling through last summer's diary volume when Myrnin popped in through the portal, wearing a big floppy black hat and a kind of crazy/stylish pimp coat that covered him from neck to ankles, black leather gloves, and a black and silver walking stick with a dragon's head on it. And, on his lapel was a button that said, If you can read this, thank a teacher.

She can go with us to the lab and keep Myrnin pinned down while we pull the plug, if he's not... you know, better.Define BETTER with that guy.Not all fangs and raaaaar.

Bite me, Goth princess,— Shane called from the back. "Not literally or anything.""Maybe you should say that to Michael.""Not funny, Eve," Michael said.Eve raised her eyebrows and held her fingers up, measuring off about an inch. "Little bit," she said.

Myrnin, who hadn't said much, suddenly reached out and wrapped his arms around her. She stiffened, shocked, and for a panicked second wondered whether he'd suddenly decided to snack on her neck... but it was just a hug. His body felt cold against hers, and way too close, but then he let go and stepped back. You've done very well. I'm extremely proud of you, he said. There was a touch of color high in his pale cheeks. Do go home now. And shower. You reek like the dead.Which, coming from a vampire, was pretty rich.

Promise me, Amelie, that you'll crucify me with silver before you allow me to fall in love.—"I hardly think there's any chance of that," Amelie said. I doubt you have the capacity.

He started to touch the mechanism under the keyboard, then pulled his hand back with a snap.Ah, he said. Must deactivate the security....Turn around, please.What?Turn around, Claire. It's a secure password!You have GOT to be kidding.Why ever would I joke about that? Please turn.

Here, Myrnin said, his voice still gentle and low. Amelie said you had to work. No one said you had to work alone. He picked up the next part and slotted it in, took the screwdriver from Claire's numbed fingers, and fastened it with a couple of deft, fast movements. I'll be your hands.She wanted to cry, because it was so sweet, but it wouldn't do any good.

Myrnin turned away to pick up his Ben Franklin spectacles, balanced them on his nose, and looked over them to say, Don't do drugs. I feel I ought to say that.

He's not doing anything he shouldn't be doing, right? Like what?Like hitting on you.Ew. No, of course not. He doesn't see me that way. Michael shook his head and went back to his coffee.What? You think he does?Sometimes he looks at you a little... oddly, that's all. Maybe you're right. Maybe he just wants you for your blood.Again, Ew! What's with you this morning?Not enough coffee.

[Myrnin to Claire about their costumes of Pierrot and Harlequin, respectively]Don't they teach you anything in your schools?.Pity. I suppose that's what comes of your main education flowing from Google.

You humans, always eating. I'll make you soup. You can eat it while you keep working. Myrnin set aside his book and walked into the back of the lab.Don't use the same beaker you used for poisons! Claire yelled after him. He waved a pale hand. I mean it!

Bishop was all done with the witty converstaion. 'Will you swear?'And Myrnin said, shockingly, 'I will.' And he proceeded to, a string of swearwords that made Claire blink. He ended with, '— frothy fool-born apple-john! Cheater of vandals and defiler of dead dogs!' and did another twirl and bow. He looked up with a red, red grin that was more like a leer. 'Is that what you meant, my lord?