‘‘I am a wyvern! I can do far more to this man than merely remove his genitalia,’’ Gabriel answered in an outraged tone, a little tendril of smoke emerging from between his lips as he spoke.

‘‘Eh . . .’’ Jarilith said, taking a step backward.

‘‘Hmm. He’s a weaver,’’ Savian said thoughtfully as he examined the portalist. ‘‘Those are immortal, aren’t they? So he could survive a castration, but the question is would a dragon barbeque be enough to finish him off?’’

‘‘Absolutely,’’ Gabriel said. He smiled. It wasn’t a nice smile.

‘‘Threatening a weaver is strictly prohibited by law,’’ Jarilith said indignantly, but the fight had gone out of him. His gaze was flickering back and forth from Gabriel to Savian to the dagger I held casually. ‘‘I could have the watch on you for what you’re saying!’’

‘‘Oh, please,’’ I said with a dramatic roll of my eyes.

‘‘Just about every thief taker in this hemisphere is after me. I’ve already been sentenced to banishment to the Akasha. You think one little murder is going to make that any worse? Not likely.’’

Jarilith’s eyes widened.

‘‘It’s true,’’ Savian said. ‘‘The price on her head has already gone over six figures.’’

The color washed out of the portalist’s face. ‘‘Erm . . .’’

‘‘Mate,’’ Gabriel said sternly. ‘‘I must insist that you refrain from slicing and dicing this man.’’

Jarilith nodded quickly. ‘‘Listen to the dragon.’’

‘‘It is my place to destroy those who stand in your way,’’ Gabriel continued, the pupils in his eyes narrowing as he turned to the now hastily backing away Jarilith.

‘‘Let’s not lose our heads, here,’’ the latter said in a rush.

‘‘I don’t think it’s your head the lady has in mind,’’ Savian said as he looked pointedly at the portalist’s crotch.

Jarilith’s hands hovered protectively over his fly. ‘‘Such an atrocity would constitute torture. You wouldn’t do that to an innocent man, would you?’’

‘‘What makes you think I’d stop at the castration?’’ I twirled the knife around my fingers again. ‘‘This little jobby fillets, as well.’’

‘‘She went to Paris,’’ Jarilith said quickly as he dashed for a door to a back room. ‘‘I don’t see the harm in telling you that as you are related to the lady. Your portal is ready in room number three. Have a pleasant journey . . .’’

His voice trailed off as he bolted.

I turned a frown on Gabriel. ‘‘You really wouldn’t have let me be bad cop? I’m very good at it, as you can see.’’