Dilana stepped forward. "You forgot to mention what a spoiled, ungrateful bitch Sharon is."
"You're just jealous," Verchiel said. "Eli doesn't pretend to keep his fledgling as a true lover, only a body of convenience, but you like to pretend that Zeke is more. Pity he doesn't really feel that way."
A cloud of sand swirled. Dilana was suddenly in front of Verchiel, clutching him by the front of his shirt, the point of his sword pressed against her throat.
"I wonder which of us is faster," Verchiel commented. "You'd better call her off, Eli. I'd hate to have to kill her."
"As if you could." Despite her words, Dilana let go and jumped back.
"No one needs to die." Eli's reasonable tone didn't match the calculating cold of his eyes. "Come, Sharon. You've caused enough trouble. Do you want blood spilled over your childish tantrum?"