QUOTE : They were in a pub called the Chough when Nick returned from his investigation of every corner of the place to find Jamie sitting at the bar exactly where he had left him. <br /><br />He had not left him penned in by two men, however. Nick’s first thought was of magicians, and he reached for his nearest knife before it occurred to him that Jamie’s earring probably had more to do with this situation than his demon’s mark. <br /><br />It had been a long and frustrating search already. Nick was itching for a fight. <br /><br />“These guys bothering you?” he asked Jamie softly, and gave the two men his coldest look. One of them stepped back. <br /><br />“No, no, no,” Jamie said at once, looking wildly around at empty air, as if Nick had started to throw knives. <br /><br />Nick could throw knives quite well, but that was beside the point.