...The next time I opened my eyes, I was in the morgue. This, all by itself, is enough to really ruin your day. I was lying on the examining table, and Butters, complete with his surgical gown and his tray of autopsy instruments, stood over me. 'I'm not dead!' I sputtered. 'I'm not dead!' - Harry Dresden, Death Masks, Jim Butcher
Jim ButcherIt bothered me that he was right. Without Sir Stuart's intervention, I'd have been dead again already. That's right--you heard me: dead again already. I mean, come on. How screwed up is your life (after- or otherwise) when you find yourself needing phrases like that?
Jim ButcherGo back,โ he said. โCanโt. Stand aside?โ โCanโt.โ โSo itโs like that?โ I said. Fix exhaled. Then he nodded. โYeah.โ And for the first time in a decade the Winter Knight and Summer Knight went to war.
Jim ButcherThere should be a rule against your own inner monologue throwing around that much sarcasm.
Jim ButcherLady Placida smiled. โHistory seldom takes note of serendipity when it records events. And from what I have heard, I suspect an argument could be made that you very much did earn the title.โ โMany women have earned titles, Your Grace. It doesn't seem to have been a factor in whether or not they actually received them.โ Lady Placida laughed. โTrue enough. But perhaps that is beginning to change.โ She offered her hands. โIt is a distinct pleasure to meet you, Steadholder.
Jim Butcher