It was nasty. There was tissue everywhere.

I wouldn't say it was nasty; it was intense. We lost a game we had to win. Guys are going to be upset.

He's essentially torn the connective tissue to the various structures of the brain. It's a very nasty head injury. The prognosis is pretty iffy.

Once I opened my mind to the concept of a greater power, I never struggled with it. Everywhere I went, I felt and saw the existence of a creative intelligence in this universe, of a loving power larger than myself in nature, in people, everywhere.

It's just nasty. It's nasty.

I couldn't get through this last book."

"He didn't even just skip ahead to read the sex scenes," Helia said. "Which is what he normally does with your paranormals."

Patrick turned to Gabriel. "This is your revenge, isn't it?"

"Helia and Alexios? Gabriel said. "This is Patrick. He'll be accompanying us to Seanna."

"Oooh," Alexios said. "It's a family reunion."

"So you really are Gabriel's father?" Helia said. "That's what everyone says, but then we found Seanna and started thinking maybe the rumor was wrong, that you two couldn't have ... you know. She seems kind of ..." She wrinkled her nose. "Nasty."

"Maybe he likes nasty," Alexios said. "You've read his sex scenes."

"I'm not sure they're meant to be nasty."

"I believe it's time to go," Gabriel said, ushering them out.

"Well played," Patrick murmured as he passed. "Well played.