[ Alec didn't stop to think if Aisha might have a less nonchalant reaction to the news than this now, because he's thought about it before. He's thought about all of this before, down to the electric brush of her hair over his face when she'd wrestle him into submission for having the gall to be a party to something so stupid.

The smoke itches the back of his throat, so he swallows, Adam's apple bobbing under her arm. The pressure is pleasant the way a hug is, catching him in his own skin. He's very aware of his heartbeat. He's even more aware of hers. ]

I'm not a cooperative hostage. You'll probably have to blow me up.

[ It's a shame, but there it is. It's not like he's going to risk lying to such a terrifying villain. ]

And if you think this sucks, you should see what we usually get. Dumped in a graveyard in the middle of a maze of killer tulips, or ditched in the desert for the bloodthirst cacti. We're in the sticks.

Seriously lame. [ He sighs. ] They don't even have television.