And now that's done, too. Off he goes, proper pawn, and Joelle . . . Joelle.

I don't know. Too soon to tell.

Poor kid.

( '...what've I got to lose now, huh?' [Jason, Joelle (spoofed)] )

Text message from Joelle Parker to Sebastian Shaw:

he just went out 2 find gg. workd but rly tird now. yr turn k?

( 'I can just watch you tonight.' [Jason, Joelle (spoofed), Gregory (spoofed)] )

Text message from Joelle Parker to Sebastian Shaw:

it workd plz dont hurt him 2 much kthx

( 'I'd help you do what you wanted, if you . . . wanted.' [Jason, Joelle (spoofed)] )

Oh, he'd try to save my darkling girl, would he? From whom? Me? Herself?

What a dear boy. I'd like to give him a call, but if he's in that kind of mood (so noble! so outraged!), I suppose it's best if he comes to me. If I'm lucky, he might even be breathing fire. Illusory, if he's feeling literal enough for it.

I can hardly wait.

( 'But I got some will left in me to become /something/. Of my /own/ volition.' [Jason, Joelle (spoofed)] )

A call waiting when I got back to the clubhouse: it went well, nothing she couldn't handle, and she doesn't mind continuing the contact for as long as it's helpful to me.

Good girl. Good girl. I knew I could count on her. That is a proper pawn.

( 'Show me what you got.' [Jason, Joelle (spoofed)] )