“May I be frank?” Sherrington asked. Irene sighed. This was always the sign of a fast-approaching insult. — Genevieve Cogman

“Very well. Then our conversation is over.”

“Aren’t you going to threaten me?” Irene asked.

“Miss Winters, if you don’t already feel threatened, I’m not doing my job properly.”

My dear Miss Winters,

You will have realized by now that I intend to bring down irretrievable ruin on you, your loved ones, your friends and associates, your workplace, and anything else that comes to mind. Please don’t feel obliged to thank me. It is my pleasure entirely.

I don’t care about politics or the greater good or universal peace or whatever. I just want to be left in peace with books.