[ Just as Verso stands, he's shoved back down again by a sudden hand on his chest. ] Not here, [ Clea hisses, and to make her point, she presses a knee down across his lap to keep him trapped, hand still firmly holding him in place. At a distance, the Lampmaster drifts behind her, watching, waiting. ]

Don't be an idiot. We're outnumbered, and we've no idea what we're dealing with yet. [ Still, she keeps half an eye on Alicia, but mostly one on her brother. Someone needs to think about keeping them all alive. ] Wait until he's made a mistake. Not before.