“I think you’re being melodramatic.” “Aren’t you like the pot calling the kettle black or something?” I asked. “Pardon me, oh great one. I forgot my place as a mere footnote in the history of Sitia.” Talk about being melodramatic. “Is he—” I cut Devlen off. “Annoying? Yes, all the time.” He studied Leif. “You are more...subdued at our house.” “That’s ’cause I’m too busy keeping your daughter out of trouble.” “I take it Reema has Leif wrapped around her little finger?” I asked Devlen. “Hey,” Leif said. “Yes. He needs a child of his own to learn how to not give in to her every demand.” I agreed. “That would certainly mature him. Unless it backfires and Leif regresses. Then poor Mara would have two children to deal with.” “I’m standing right here, ya know.” Yelena ZaltanaDevlenLeif ZaltanaPot Calling Kettle Black Book:Shadow Study Source: Shadow Study
“Are you all right?” I asked Leif. He sat up and glanced nervously at Valek. “That depends.” “Don’t worry about him, he’s overprotective.” Valek harrumphed. “If you could keep out of trouble for one day, protecting you wouldn’t be so instinctive.” He rubbed his leg. “Or so painful.” Yelena ZaltanaValekLeif Zaltana Book:Magic Study Source: Magic Study
“Yippee. I’ve been promoted from fire lighter to delivery boy. I’ll write a letter home to Mother. She’ll be so pleased.” Leif Zaltana Book:Storm Glass Source: Storm Glass
“Don’t knock the power of a pest,” Leif said. “Persistence and stubborness can be useful in many situations.” Leif Zaltana Book:Storm Glass Source: Storm Glass
“Move back,” the man on the left ordered Valek. “Or I’ll skewer your friend.” Valek considered the threat. “Do you plan to wound, maim or kill him?” he asked the guard. “Threats should be specific in order to have the maximum impact.” The man just stared at him. “Skewer is just too vague. I think if you say, ’Stand back or I’ll stab him in the stomach,’ then I have an idea about how serious you are. After all, Leif’s stomach is his favorite body part so that’s a decent threat.” EffectivenessPrecisionThreatsValekLeif Zaltana Book:Ice Study Source: Ice Study