We're ostriches and the whole world is sand.

Ease off the martyr throttle.

Most of the bad guys in the real world don't know that they are bad guys. You don't get a flashing warning sign that you're about to damn yourself. It sneaks up on you when you aren't looking.

Worry is fear in disguise. And fear will eat you from the inside out if you let it.

...as nervous as a bird in a coal mine.

He's Black Council," I said. "Or maybe stupid," Ebenezar countered. I thought about it. "Not sure which is scarier." Ebenezar blinked at me, then snorted. "Stupid, Hoss. Every time. Only so many blackhearted villains in the world, and they only get uppity on occasion. Stupid's everywhere, every day.

Smiling always seems to annoy people more than actually insulting them. Or maybe I just have an annoying smile.