"How would I know that you didn't do that on purpose, James, to your daughter?  You were more than willing to use me, and I know enough of your past to know you had willingly used other innocent people."  Lane retorted when he acted as if she had taken a shot at Mia.  That's what Mia was, right?  What Lane was as well.  Innocent people caught up in the web of James self-serving attitude, whether purposely or otherwise.<br/><br/>Nora stepped outside as James mentioned Remy, and simply made a general motion for the man to come to the house.  James was probably right, Remy would have to ensure that the deal went down and that the book was out of James' hands.  She then quietly stepped back inside and resumed leaning against the wall with her arms folded over the chest, as if she were Lane's guard dog.  Not that the petite blond needed it, she was doing okay so far on her own.<br/><br/>Lane bristled and stood up, beginning to pace.  "So let me see if I can get this all straight.  Your daughter is a magical powerhouse, but she doesn't really know the capacity of her power.  You promised her to a demon but the Syndicate now also wants her for their own nefarious purposes.  Something in the grimoire was the key to dealing with the demoness...Or for a bit there, you thought I was.  That I could blight her out of existence...But then you decided I was too close or too far in and sent me packing and now we're all in a bigger clusterfuck than we were before you walked into the shop."<br/><br/>Her hands slid onto her hips.  "You could have just stolen the book, you know?  It's not like I kept it hidden."  She almost wished she could rewind the clock and have him do just that.  Maybe her life would be boring and mundane...Or maybe it wouldn't.  Maybe James wasn't the key to her having an extraordinary life, maybe he had just accelerated the process.  He had not placed the power of the Valkyrie within her, he had simply managed to trigger something that was already there.<br/><br/>"So now, I'm assuming you want us to help you keep your daughter out of the Syndicates hands, while also stopping the demoness that would enjoy claiming her, given the chance?  Well, I think between Nora and I, we can handle the demoness.  You might be on your own with the Syndicate, if they're as bad as you say."