so even he could be put in his place , it seemed . they both sat up straighter , peering at the edge of the balcony . i 'd have expected it of you as a young adept , but now ? bens grin was ear to ear . that 's how they all lived to be so old . the creature lurched towards where he knelt . his mother 's mate had been killed while his mother was pregnant with him . my first call was to my offices in vegas , and then new york-to my second-in-command . 