At the core, our motives are always self-serving, Kate. Altruism is a fog created by sly minds seeking to benefit from the energy and skill of others. Nothing more.

What is he doing here?" Curran growled. "He's Roland's Warlord. He's here for me." He was here for the woman who had broken his master's blade. "Tough luck. You're mine.

Across from me at the next row of supports Jim raised his hand and touched his fingers to his thumb a few times, imitating an opening and closing beak. Negotiate. He wanted me to engage a lunatic who had already turned four people into smoking meat. Okay. I could do that. “Alright, Jeremy!” I yelled into the night. “Give me the salamander and I won’t cut your head off!” Jim put his hand over his face and did some shaking. I thought he was laughing, but I couldn’t be sure.

Who is that?” “Your replacement.” “You replaced me with a shaved poodle?” “He's got mad skills.

Kate had never met a person she didn't want to protect, preferably by hacking at the hostile parties with her sword.

Life was too short and ended too suddenly. If you didn't take advantage of what you had today, tomorrow it might be ripped from you.

Keeping you safe keeps me in shape.