"Let her go, Mitch," Katrilla snapped. "Jesus, did you have a few drinks before we picked you up, or does stupidity just come naturally to you?"

Mitch tightened his grip on Tiamat. "Give me a chance, baby. I'll change your mind in …"

Tiamat held her tablet and cocoa out to Cassie. "Hold on to these for a moment, would you, please?"

"Sure." Cassie took them from her and gave Mitch a look that seemed to say, You're so screwed. She backed well away from them, stood and watched with a smirk.

Clyde wasn't sure what the hell happened next. All he saw was a blur of motion and suddenly Mitch was on his knees, bent over backward, with his right arm twisted almost to the snapping point, and Tiamat's other hand locked onto his neck. One quick twist, Clyde realized, was all it would take to tear Mitch's throat out.

"We're pretty laid-back around here," Tiamat said with a calm tone that sent chills up and down Clyde's spine, "but we do have a few ground rules. The people here are my friends and family, and I won't have you treating any of them the way you've treated me. Don't do anything to us without permission. Understood?"

Mitch, trembling and unable to breathe, nodded. His face had taken on a faint purple hue.

"Very good. Now, you can hang around here as long as you wish, but only if you show us a little common courtesy. We'll respect you as long as you respect us. But if you step out of line with anyone here, I'll break your skull wide open with my bare hands. Clear?"

All Mitch could do was nod again.

"Okay. Now, I have duties to attend to, so I'd appreciate it if you'd stop wasting my time. Have a nice evening." She released him and he flopped over, choking and clutching at his throat. Tiamat turned to the others and sighed. "I'm sorry. I just get tired of this crap."

"He had it coming." Cassie let out a slow breath and scowled at Mitch. "We won't bring him with us again."

"Okay." Tia smiled and blushed. "Again, I apologize for my outburst. It's just that we were created by people who thought they could buy and sell us and use us as weapons." She nodded over her shoulder at Mitch. "People like him think they can do anything they want. Every now and then, they need to be reminded that they're wrong."

"Absolutely. And don't apologize. Mitch is the one who owes you an apology. So do I, since I'm the one who invited him." Cassie handed the tablet and cup back to her.

"It's alright. No permanent harm done." Tiamat smiled at the rest of them. "Have a look around and mingle if you'd like. If you have any questions, there are plenty of people on the staff -- humans as well, in case you'd be more comfortable speaking with one of them. Someone will be happy to show you around."

"Thank you."

"Oh, and you can find your friend in the usual place." Tiamat winked at Cassie.

"Thanks!" Cassie grinned and waved as she started toward the door through which Tia had entered. "I'll go say hi to him."

Tiamat chuckled and waved back, and turned to the others. "Enjoy your time here." She bowed and walked over to the stairs, stepping over Mitch as if he had ceased to exist. Clyde turned back to the others with a long sigh.

"Wow."

"Yeah." Brent stared at Mitch, who was just now picking himself up, and then looked up at the door Tiamat had disappeared through. "My nipples are so hard right now."

"Shut up, you little bitch," Mitch croaked, still rubbing his throat. He got to his feet. "Well, let's get on with it. Pick a door, already."