“I don’t think you’re evil,” said Jack.

“Because I’m not evil,” Sabine said, a little angrily. She looked upset. Jack wondered if he should hug her. “But Tanith is. You kind of forget that sometimes, but she is. She’s evil.”

Jack shrugged. “I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you. Sometimes things happen that are good.”

“That’s your philosophy?”

“I... I dunno, actually. Never knew I had a philosophy. But I suppose if I did have one, yeah, that’d be it. Sometimes things happen that are good. You can have it, if you want.”

“Your philosophy?”

“If yours isn’t workin’, you could share mine. It might relax you. You look tense. Do you want a massage?”

“I’m sorry?”

“To help you relax. I could give you a massage.”

“Your nails are really long.”

“Yeah, you might lose some blood, but some people say blood loss helps you relax.”

“I don’t think so. Thank you, though.”

Jack smiled. “No problem. Do you want a foot rub?”

“No. I think I’m going to stand over there.”

Jack gave her the thumbs up. “Sounds good.”

She walked over to the other side of the roof, and he followed, and smiled at her. “Nice over here, ain’t it?”

13

rom her position on the roof, Tanith watched Kaiven issue orders to the mortal men with the guns. While keeping to the Necromancer tradition of only wearing black, everything else about Kaiven seemed golden – his blond hair, his tanned skin, his bright smile. Even the way he moved reminded her of a golden lion – proud, strong and graceful.

“Can I kill him now?” Sanguine asked from where he crouched beside her.

Tanith smiled. “What’s wrong, Billy-Ray? Jealous? You think I might trade you in for a Necromancer?”

“And what would I have to be jealous about? The guy’s an idiot. Look at him, preening like a damn peacock.”

“All big smiles and white teeth and chiselled features...”

Sanguine looked offended. “I have chiselled features. Look. Look how chiselled they are. And my teeth are at least as white as his. You seriously think he’s good-lookin’?”

“I do,” said Tanith.

“Right,” Sanguine said, and nodded. “I’m gonna kill him.”

She kept her laugh soft so it wouldn’t travel. “I think he’s good-looking, but I think you’re better looking.”

“Oh,” Sanguine said. “I mean, yeah. I am. I’m glad you noticed.”

“But he does have better hair.”

“What?”

“See how it falls across his forehead like that? It’s long, but not too long... kind of dashing, really.”