Jamie laughs, light and easy, and shrugs one shoulder. "I might be open to suggestion," he says sweetly. "Are you always this direct? I'm not complaining, mind you."

John reminds him of Cadeus, if Cade were shorter, blond, and without antlers. But his boldness is refreshing.

He wrinkles his nose at the mention of the chip in his head. "I wasn't expecting that part, but I suppose I have to live with it now. Has she been broken for long?"