"Well for one, I demonstrably proved that Corvin is [i]completely[/i] unaware of your reputation as a trickster or a Bitch, friendly to a fault, and too naive and awkward to be a threat. Second, I gave the witches an irresistible chance to get on the good side of a potential new customer who is [i]obviously[/i] unprepared to haggle worth a damn."

He snickered and reached into his pockets as he continued. "After you left, Agatha gave me full tour of the storage room. Wasn't keeping an eye on me, either. After all, Corvin is [i]far[/i] too innocent and nice to [i]think[/i] of taking what doesn't belong to him, and [i]clearly[/i] too much of a clutz to actually [i]succeed[/i] if he even tried."

Carver pulled a out a bottle and dangled it from two fingers. The nearly transparent liquid inside shimmered with pearlescent sparkles that swirled about in suspension.

"Soooooo," he sang with a grin, "Who's your [i]favorite monster[/i]?"